Court Hears Alleged Coup Discussions Included Villa Power Shutdown

Zekeri Umoru, one of the individuals standing trial over an alleged coup plot, on Wednesday told the court that discussions were held about cutting electricity supply to the Presidential Villa, Abuja, as part of the alleged operation.

Umoru, an employee of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc working in the Maintenance Department at the Presidential Villa, made the disclosure in a video evidence presented before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
According to him, he warned those involved that disconnecting electricity to the Villa would immediately trigger investigations and lead to the detention of workers on duty.
The fourth defendant made the statement during questioning by members of the Special Investigative Panel (SIP), which initially handled the investigation.
In the video, Umoru alleged that Col. Mohammed Ma’aji, identified as the alleged mastermind of the coup plot, offered him money through Insp. Ahmed Ibrahim, the third defendant, to recruit between 18 and 19 persons working within the Presidential Villa.
He said the proposed recruits included soldiers, Department of State Services (DSS) officials, and Julius Berger employees.
Umoru further told investigators that Ma’aji allegedly said he wanted access into the Presidential Villa and could achieve it “with force,” even if those approached from inside refused to cooperate.
He also claimed that Insp. Ibrahim later demanded N100 million from Ma’aji to facilitate the operation through an ambulance route into the Villa, but Ma’aji reportedly rejected the request, describing the amount as too high.
According to Umoru, Ma’aji insisted he could still gain entry into the Presidential Villa by force, although “there would be bloodshed.”
He stated that he later became uncomfortable with the alleged plan and repeatedly attempted to return the money given to him.
Umoru added that he considered gaining access to the Presidential Villa “not a child’s play.”
He denied allegations that he had access to the Villa’s solar power plant or planned to sabotage electricity supply within the complex.
Explaining why he did not immediately report the discussions to security authorities, Umoru said Insp. Ibrahim allegedly discouraged him from doing so and advised him to delete messages and avoid contacting Ma’aji because of an ongoing audit in their office.
Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter until May 21 for continuation of the trial-within-trial aimed at determining whether the statements made by the six defendants were voluntary.
The Federal Government, through the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), had arraigned the defendants on a 13-count charge before Justice Abdulmalik.
The charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/206/2026, was filed on April 20 by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN.
The defendants listed in the charge are retired Maj.-Gen. Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, retired Capt. Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, Insp. Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukr Kashim Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani as first to sixth defendants respectively.
Former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, who was also mentioned in connection with the alleged plot, is listed as being at large.
The defendants are facing charges bordering on treason, terrorism, failure to disclose security intelligence, and money laundering linked to terrorism financing. (NAN)