Nollywood Actor arrested over alleged coup plot against Tinubu’s Govt
Nollywood Actor arrested over alleged coup plot against Tinubu’s Govt
Nollywood actor and filmmaker Stanley Amandi has been arrested in connection with an alleged plot by some military officers to forcibly remove President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from office.
Sources within the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) disclosed that Amandi, a former chairman of the AGN Enugu State chapter, was taken into custody in September 2025.
He was reportedly apprehended alongside several serving military officers accused of masterminding the plot.
According to information from individuals familiar with the investigation, Amandi was allegedly recruited by the suspected coup planners to serve as a media propagandist.
The officers were said to be working towards a violent takeover of government, with claims that plans extended to the assassination of top government officials.
Officials had earlier indicated that President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, were among those allegedly marked for assassination.
On Monday, the Defence Headquarters publicly acknowledged the existence of an unlawful scheme aimed at destabilising the Tinubu administration. It confirmed that the officers involved would be subjected to trial before military judicial panels.
In a statement, the Defence Headquarters said investigations had been concluded and forwarded to “appropriate superior authority in line with extant regulations.” The military described the probe as “comprehensive,” noting that it examined “all circumstances surrounding the conduct of the affected personnel.”
The statement added that the investigation revealed “a number of officers with allegations of plotting to overthrow the government,” stressing that such actions were “inconsistent with the ethics, values and professional standards required of members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.”
Amandi is a familiar figure in Nollywood, with experience as an actor, director and production manager. His body of work includes The Album, which he directed; Tiger King (2008), where he served as director and producer; Cornerstone (2019); and Once Upon a Dream (2024), in which he appeared as an actor.
A review of his social media activity shows that his last Instagram post was shared on September 19, 2025, just days before his reported arrest.
