By Abu Adamu
The Federal Government has assembled a list of 30 prosecution witnesses, including officials of 13 banks, senior military officers, forensic experts and investigators, to testify against six defendants accused of plotting to overthrow the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
The suspects include retired Major General Mohammed Gana, retired Navy Captain Erasmus Victor, Police Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Goni and Abdulkadir Sani, who are standing trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja on allegations bordering on treason, terrorism financing, money laundering and failure to disclose information relating to an alleged coup conspiracy.
The case stems from an alleged plot uncovered last year involving more than 40 military personnel and civilians. While the serving military officers implicated in the matter are facing court-martial proceedings, the Federal Government subsequently filed a 13-count charge against the civilian suspects and retired military officers.
According to documents contained in the Proof of Evidence filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and obtained by Premium Times, prosecutors intend to rely heavily on witness testimonies, financial records, electronic forensic evidence and documentary exhibits to establish their case against the accused persons.
Central to the prosecution’s case are investigators who handled the probe and recovered documentary evidence, as well as forensic experts who extracted and analysed data from mobile phones allegedly recovered from the defendants during the investigation.
Also expected to testify are officials of 13 financial institutions, including Access Bank, Union Bank, Fidelity Bank, Zenith Bank, Providus Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA), First City Monument Bank (FCMB), First Bank, Ecobank, Jaiz Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank), SunTrust Bank, and Opay Digital Services Limited.
The bank officials are expected to tender account opening documents, statements of account, and other financial records which prosecutors believe will help establish alleged monetary transactions linked to the conspiracy.
The prosecution has also lined up civilian witnesses who are expected to provide testimony regarding the movement of funds, vehicle purchases, and contracts allegedly connected to the defendants.
Among them is Aminu Abdullahi, who is expected to testify on instructions allegedly received from the alleged ringleader, Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji, and on the receipt and disbursement of funds. Other witnesses include Abdulganiyu Ahmed, who will testify on vehicles allegedly acquired in connection with the plot, and Moses Opata, who reportedly handled refurbishment contracts for some of the vehicles under investigation.
A golf equipment dealer, Peter Gambo, is also expected to testify regarding the sale of golf kits to Squadron Leader Noel Zuzu, another figure allegedly linked to the conspiracy.
The Federal Government has equally listed representatives of three hospitality establishments—Brookville Hotel & Suites and Greenland Luxury Apartments in Abuja, as well as Hotel 17 in Kaduna—to provide evidence relating to reservations and meetings allegedly organised by Colonel Ma’aji and other suspected conspirators.
Senior military personnel are expected to provide crucial testimony concerning the movement, custody, and handling of arms and ammunition allegedly connected to the plot.
Among the military witnesses are Captain Haruna of the 81 Division Provost Company; Corporal Bejide Kehinde, who is expected to testify regarding arms and ammunition allegedly signed out from the armoury of the 130 Battalion in Maiduguri; Colonel Y.B. Mohammed, who will speak on weapons allegedly received for safekeeping at the 1 Division Garrison Armoury; Brigadier General E. Agada; and Captain K.I. Eromosele.
According to the charge sheet, the defendants allegedly conspired with Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji and other persons currently at large to wage war against Nigeria and unlawfully remove President Tinubu from office.
The prosecution further alleges that some of the defendants failed to report knowledge of the purported coup plot, while others were involved in handling funds allegedly connected to the conspiracy.
Court documents indicate that the Federal Government intends to rely on financial records, electronic forensic analysis, witness testimonies, and documentary exhibits to prove the allegations.
Prosecutors have also informed the court that they reserve the right to file additional evidence and call more witnesses as proceedings continue.