JUST IN; 2 Suspects admit knowledge of plot to topple Tinubu’s government in video evidence

Published

May 4, 2026

Two of the suspected coup plotters, on Monday admitted that they had knowledge of the plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu government in video recordings played at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Navy Capt. Erasmus Ochegobia Victor (rtd.) and Insp Ahmed Ibrahim (2nd and 3rd defendants), whose video recording sessions during investigation were played in the open court before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, made this known in the ongoing trial.

The video recordings were contained in a hard disc tendered by the prosecution lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, which the court admitted in evidence.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that lawyers to the defendants raised objection about the admissibility of the videos on the grounds that their clients did not make the statements voluntarily.

The defence lawyers also objected to having the recordings played in open court when they were yet to be admitted in evidence.

Justice Abdulmalik, however, overruled them and ordered that the recordings be played, noting that it was the standard practice.

The judge, who noted the objection raised by the defence team, held that a trial-within-trial could be conducted to ascertain the propriety of the defence.

Meanwhile, the first interview session played was that of retired Maj-Gen. Mohammed Gana, who said he retired from the Nigerian Army in 2010 as a Chief of Defence Logistics and had since lived a quiet life.

Gana, who said he had never committed any act of indiscipline or crime, told investigators, in the video, that he knew the alleged mastermind of the plot, Col. M. A. Ma’aji.

Gana said he learnt that Ma’aji had issues with his promotion, but did not know he was planning a coup, adding that if he was aware, he would have reported.

He said his name first came up in connection with the alleged plot in relation to a N2 million transfer, which investigators linked to him.

He also admitted sharing via WhatsApp, a copy of the coup speech read by Joshua Dongayaro during an earlier coup in the country.

He also admitted sharing, through the same means, some messages containing anti-government rhetorics, but explained that he only forwarded the materials as received and did not edit or originate it.

When investigators told him that the coup speech recovered from Col. Maji was tailored in line with the coup related speech he forwarded, Gana said he did not know.

He, however, denied allegations of conducting reconnaissance at the Presidential Villa, participating in efforts to raise funds, including claims of sourcing billions from a former governor.

Retired Capt. Erasmus Victor, who is the 2nd defendant, admitted knowing Ma’aji and being aware of the plot to overthrow the government, but failed to report to any security agency because of his relationship with Ma’aji.

He said Ma’aji had complained about his stalled promotion and “out of anger, he said he wants to overthrow the system.”

Victor said he advised him against such act and suggested that the officer should consider retirement instead.

He admitted in the video that he was approached to render financial support, assist in raising funds for the plot or help them to acquire an apartment with an assurance of being offered an appointment when the coup succeeds.

The retired Navy captain said he declined involvement in the plot, confirmed that he continued communication using a secure messaging platform and acknowledged that coded language was used in discussions.

He insisted he was not part of any operational arrangement and that he never rendered any assistance as requested by Ma’aji.

Victor said his relationship with Ma’aji beclouded his thoughts, adding that if there was no relationship between them, he would have reported to any security agency like the Navy, which is his constituency.

He said he regretted his action for not reporting about the coup plot.

Victor, who looked remorseful in the video, expressed regret that he failed to report the plot to the appropriate authorities when he ought to and appealed for clemency.

“I feel so bad that I find myself in this situation,” likening his situation to being at the wrong place at the wrong time.

According the him, I am pleading for clemency.

He noted that the Almighty God himself said he regretted creating man, but still continues to seek mercy for man.

He said if the government could grant amnesty to terrorists and bandits who had taken the lives of innocent souls, called them repentant and reintegrate them into the society, he also should be forgiven because he had served the country meritoriously in the Navy.

Police Insp Ibrahim, who was attached to the State House, told investigators he was initially approached to help facilitate Col. Ma’aji’s promotion through contacts within government circles.

Ibrahim said discussions between him and Ma’aji later shifted from promotion matters to alleged plans to overthrow the government.

He admitted receiving between N1.4 million and N1.5 million and participating in reconnaissance operations around the Presidential Villa, including Aguda House.

He said he took photographs of some parts of the Presidential Villa, including the president’s residence and its surroundings, and discussed possible access routes.

The inspector further confirmed that coded terms such as “fertiliser” and “farming” were used during conversations to refer to funding and the alleged operation.

He maintained, however, that his involvement stemmed from misplaced judgment influenced by his relationship with the principal suspect.

Ibrahim said he merely played along with the alleged plotters because he knew it would be impossible for them to access the state house.

NAN reports that at the beginning of every interview session, the investigators explained to the defendants the rationale behind the audio visual recording of the session, which they said was in line with the provision of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.

The investigators added that the recording was being done to ensure that the statement made by each of the defendants was voluntarily obtained and that it was not under duress, torture or promise of any favour.

The investigator equally told them that they had the right the right to remain silent if they chose not to say anything.

Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter until May 5 at 11 am for continuation of trial.(NAN)

News

JUST IN; APC announces Governorship candidates in 25 States

Published

10 hours ago

May 22, 2026

olalekan

JUST IN; APC announces Governorship candidates in 25 States

The All Progressives Congress on Thursday produced governorship candidates in 25 states ahead of the 2027 general elections, although internal disagreements over consensus arrangements forced the postponement of primaries in Kwara and Bauchi states.

The ruling party also rescheduled the State House of Assembly primaries for Maradun I and Maradun II constituencies in Zamfara State, while delays in the arrival of electoral materials disrupted voting in parts of Nasarawa State.

Among those who emerged as APC governorship candidates were Governors Sheriff Oborevwori in Delta, Peter Mbah in Enugu and Lagos State Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, who clinched the party’s ticket in Lagos.

Other states where governorship candidates emerged included Oyo, Benue, Sokoto, Gombe, Yobe, Niger, Borno, Ebonyi, Abia, Jigawa, Taraba, Zamfara, Plateau, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Adamawa, Kano and Kaduna.

However, the APC National Working Committee shifted the governorship primaries in Kwara and Bauchi to Friday following consultations with stakeholders.

In a statement issued by APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the party said the postponement was aimed at ensuring a smooth and credible process.

“The All Progressives Congress hereby announces the rescheduling of the governorship primary elections in Bauchi and Kwara States to Friday, May 22, 2026,” the statement read.

“The decision was approved by the National Working Committee following consultations with relevant stakeholders and in furtherance of the party’s commitment to ensuring a transparent, orderly, peaceful and credible primary election process.”

Despite the official explanation, the postponement triggered tension within the party, especially in Kwara and Bauchi where supporters accused powerful interests of attempting to impose preferred candidates.

In Kwara State, political uncertainty deepened around Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s preferred successor, Yahaya Seriki.

Hours after the postponement was announced, eight governorship aspirants reportedly stepped down in support of Seriki after consultations among party leaders.

Those who withdrew included Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe, Prof. Wale Sulaiman, Dr Mohammed Bio, Dr Toyin Alabi and Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Yakubu Danladi-Salihu.

Sources within the party said the aspirants agreed to support Seriki “in the interest of unity and continuity.”

In Bauchi State, supporters of governorship aspirant Nura Soro staged protests over alleged plans to manipulate the process.

Director of the Nura Soro Campaign Organisation, Dr Auwal Jada, accused unnamed interests of attempting to alter results.

“This is the way previous primary elections were conducted. Our people are here peacefully to protect electoral materials and ensure transparency,” he stated.

“If it is truly free and fair, there should be no secrecy. Agents of all aspirants should accompany the results from the wards, sign them and accept them before they are taken for final collation.”

Meanwhile, political tensions also surfaced in Rivers State after Governor Siminalayi Fubara reportedly withdrew from the APC governorship race in the interest of “peace and unity.”

The decision sparked outrage among some supporters and political associates, who accused influential figures within the party of sidelining the governor politically.

Despite the controversy, Kingsley Chinda emerged as the APC governorship candidate in Rivers after polling 268,497 votes.

Chairman of the APC Governorship Primary Election Committee, Bitrus Kwamoti, declared him winner.

“Ogundu Kingsley, having satisfied the requirements of the APC constitution and guidelines and scored the highest number of votes, is hereby declared the winner,” he stated.

In Delta State, Oborevwori secured the APC governorship ticket after polling 345,375 votes in a peaceful direct primary.

Speaking after the exercise, the governor described the process as transparent and violence-free.

“For the first time in Delta State, our primaries were conducted peacefully without violence, crisis or loss of lives. Nobody imposed candidates on the people. The people freely chose those they wanted,” he said.

In Enugu State, Mbah also emerged victorious as party members turned out across the state’s wards.

“It happened because our people are smart. Our people are wise and they know what is good when they see one,” Mbah stated.

In Lagos, Hamzat defeated Olanrewaju Jim-Kamal after polling 657,917 votes in the APC governorship primary conducted across the state’s 245 wards.

In Gombe State, Jamilu Gwamna recorded one of the biggest upsets of the primaries after defeating former ministers Isa Pantami and Said Alkali.

Gwamna polled 247,161 votes while Pantami secured 12,120 votes and Alkali got 11,612 votes.

The APC also confirmed that its presidential primary election will hold nationwide on May 23 through direct voting across the country’s 8,809 wards.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Stanley Osifo are the party’s two presidential aspirants.

News

BREAKING; APC Governorship Candidate for Kwara State finally emerges

Published

10 hours ago

May 22, 2026

olalekan

BREAKING; APC Governorship Candidate for Kwara State finally emerges

Mr Yakubu Danladi-Saliu has won the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary in Kwara ahead of the 2027 election.

The Chairman of the Primary Election Committee, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro, announced the result on Friday in Ilorin.
Obanikoro said Danladi-Saliu secured 94,990 votes to defeat nine other aspirants in the contest.
According to him, Amb. Abdulfatai Yahaya Seriki came second with 41,700 votes, while Olufemi Sanni polled 5,519 votes.
Dr Yahaya Oloriegbe scored 3,920 votes, while Mohammed Bergore (SAN) secured 3,411 votes.
Mohammed Bio polled 1,122 votes, Dr Alabi Oluwatoyin got 1,099 votes, while Bashiru Bolarinwa secured 22,118 votes.
Prof. Abubakar Suleiman scored 1,722 votes, while Prof. Wale Suleiman polled 2,434 votes.
Obanikoro said the primary, postponed earlier for logistical reasons, witnessed a peaceful turnout by party members across the state.
“In spite of the inconveniences experienced yesterday, members came out today in large numbers to peacefully participate in the exercise.
“This has demonstrated the unity, perseverance and strength of our great party,” Obanikoro added.
He said there was no loser in the contest, describing all aspirants as members of one political family.
“I hereby certify that Mr Yakubu Danladi-Saliu, having satisfied APC requirements and scored the highest votes, is declared winner,” Obanikoro said.
The Kwara APC Chairman, Prince Sunday Fagbemi, praised members for their orderly conduct during the exercise.
Fagbemi described the successful primary as proof of the party’s readiness for the 2027 general elections. (NAN)

News

JUST IN; Court sentences man to death by hanging for murder

Published

12 hours ago

May 22, 2026

olalekan

JUST IN; Court sentences man to death by hanging for murder

An Osun State High Court sitting in Ile-Ife on Friday sentenced a 30-year-old man, Agboola Taiwo, to death by hanging for murder.

Taiwo was convicted for killing a 62-year-old woman, Jadesola Olubayo, on Oct. 11, 2023, at a palm oil processing site near the Amula River in Olokemeji Village, Ifetedo, in Ife South Local Government Area.

Delivering judgment, Justice Adedapo Adeniji held that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and found the defendant guilty.

The court sentenced the convict to 14 years’ imprisonment for attempted rape (Count I), two years’ imprisonment for indecent assault (Count II), and death by hanging for murder (Count III).

Prosecution counsel, Omotayo Babalola of the Ministry of Justice, told the court that the deceased had gone to the processing site with her granddaughter, Latifat Adeyemo, for palm oil production.

She said the site owner, Ajibade Bashiru, later left them to attend to his nearby farm.

According to the prosecutor, the convict subsequently arrived at the site, stripped himself naked and caused panic.

Babalola said the deceased and her granddaughter tried to flee, but the convict chased and overpowered the elderly woman.

He added that the granddaughter ran to Bashiru’s farm for help, but before they returned, the convict had stripped the deceased and killed her by smashing her face with a stone and a stick.

The prosecutor said the deceased was found in a pool of blood, while the convict fled but was later apprehended near the scene and handed over to the police.

Babalola noted that the offences contravened Sections 319, 359 and 360 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 34, Vol. II, Laws of Osun State, 2002.

Defence counsel, Oluwaseun Akintola-Philip-Idiok and Victoria Ugochi-Layi-Jacob, pleaded for leniency, but the court rejected the plea. (NAN)