Alleged Coup Trial: Cleric In Video Says He Warned Plotters Of Failure

Alleged Coup Trial: Cleric In Video Says He Warned Plotters Of Failure

A key defendant in the ongoing alleged coup plot trial in Abuja, Sheikh Abdulkadir, has been shown in a video recording telling investigators that he warned individuals linked to the alleged conspiracy that their plan would fail and that they would eventually be exposed.

The footage was played in open court during proceedings at the Federal High Court, Abuja, as part of evidence tendered by the prosecution in the trial involving six defendants facing charges of treason, terrorism, money laundering, and related offences.

In the recording, Abdulkadir, described as an Islamic cleric, said he was introduced to the alleged ringleader, identified as Colonel Maaji, through a middleman named Sanda, who allegedly approached him for prayers concerning the success of a purported coup plan.

According to his statement in the video, Sanda informed him that his “principal” intended to carry out a coup and requested spiritual intervention and prayers regarding its outcome.

The cleric stated that after performing prayers, he told those involved that the operation would fail and that two individuals within the group would eventually betray them.

He further claimed that after this message, additional requests were made for prayers to prevent the alleged betrayal, and that money was subsequently sent to him, which he said was meant for prayers and charitable purposes rather than support for any illegal activity.

Abdulkadir also told investigators that names of individuals allegedly involved in the plot were forwarded to him for inclusion in prayers and spiritual consultations.

He said that shortly after these events, he was informed that Colonel Maaji had been missing for several days and later learnt through media reports that arrests had been made in connection with an alleged coup attempt.

In the video, the defendant maintained that he did not report the alleged plot to authorities because he did not know where to report such information, despite acknowledging his understanding that a coup involves the overthrow of a government.

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He also stated that he became involved in the investigation after his bank account was flagged, prompting him to visit the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for clarification.

According to him, he was later invited for questioning after explaining that the funds in question were related to prayers and charitable activities. He insisted that he was not tortured or coerced and that his statements were made voluntarily.

However, the defence team has strongly disputed the admissibility of the video and written statements attributed to all six defendants, arguing that they were obtained in violation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) and the Evidence Act.

Counsel to the defendants argued that several of the statements were made without access to legal representation and under circumstances that raise concerns about voluntariness.

Some defence lawyers also contended that the video recordings shown in court did not fully capture how the written statements were obtained, and in some cases contradicted the contents of the written documents.

One of the defence arguments also raised concerns that the accused persons were not properly informed of their right to counsel before interrogation, while others alleged inducement and possible coercion.

The prosecution, however, urged the court to admit the evidence and proceed with a trial-within-trial, insisting that the statements and video recordings were legally obtained and relevant to the case.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik subsequently ordered a joint trial-within-trial to determine whether the disputed statements and video recordings were made voluntarily and are admissible in court.

The matter was adjourned until May 12 for continuation of proceedings.

The six defendants include retired military officers, a police officer, and civilians, all of whom were arraigned in April 2026 over allegations connected to an alleged failed coup plot said to have surfaced in 2025.

Alleged Coup Trial: Cleric In Video Says He Warned Plotters Of Failure