Alleged Coup Plot: Suspect Reportedly Invested Millions in Spiritual Prayers

The Federal Government, in court documents filed in the ongoing trial of an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu, has claimed that the alleged mastermind, Nigerian Army Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji, sought spiritual support from Islamic clerics while allegedly planning the failed coup.

Premium Times reported that the records, which form part of the prosecution’s proof of evidence before the Federal High Court in Abuja and a General Court Martial, alleged that the colonel repeatedly approached clerics for prayers, guidance and support.

But clerics told investigators in statements that they always discouraged any attempt to topple the government.

The allegations contained in the prosecution’s case remain subject to determination by the court.

On the 22nd of April, the Federal Government arraigned six defendants before the Federal High Court in Abuja over the alleged plot to carry out a coup in 2025.

They are retired Major General Mohammed Gana, retired Navy Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, Police Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Presidential Villa electrician Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Goni and Islamic cleric Abdulkadir Sani based in Kaduna.

They are charged with 13 counts that include treason, terrorism, money laundering and failure to disclose information.

The case, FHC/ABJ/CR/206/2026, was filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation.

Bukar Goni, in his statement to investigators, said he met Ma’aji through Major M.A. Usman when both military officers sought prayers over repeated failures in promotion examinations.

Goni said the colonel, who was allegedly seeking promotion to the rank of brigadier general, became frustrated at his failure to get promoted and believed senior officers were deliberately frustrating his career.

The cleric said he told the officer to continue to pray and do charitable deeds instead of doing unlawful things.

Ma’aji said people were planning what he called a “riot,” but Goni said he rejected the idea each time it was proposed.

The statement also said the cleric resorted to what he called a spiritual warning after telling the officer that he would have a disturbing dream, which he took as a sign that any violent action would end in disaster.

Goni said the warning persuaded the officer to abandon the alleged plan – at least for now.

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The cleric admitted receiving millions of naira from Ma’aji but insisted that the money was for prayers only, charitable activities and building a mosque.

He told investigators that some #10 million was transferred within 15 days while two further transfers of #20 million each were later received.

He said about ₦24.7 million had been expended in acquiring land for the mosque while the balance was being kept for the project.

He denied getting any money to help an alleged coup.

Another cleric, Abdulkadir Sani, also told investigators that Ma’aji had only approached him for prayers during a religious event in Bida.

Later discussions turned to the planned uprising after an intermediary allegedly told him about it, Sani said.

The cleric said he warned immediately that the operation would fail because two members of the group would betray it in the end.

He further alleged that the colonel later requested prayers against internal betrayal and later transferred ₦2 million into his bank account.

Sani said his bank account was later blocked and he was arrested when he visited the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to make enquiries.

The two clerics’ statements are part of the prosecution’s evidence in the ongoing trial.

The prosecution says they were among the witnesses interviewed during the probe that involved military officers, police personnel and civilians.

All six defendants have denied the charges and are challenging the admissibility of their statements.

The court will be ruling on the allegations on the evidence that was brought before the court during trial.