Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A chilling account of an alleged plot to overthrow the Nigerian government unfolded before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, as Zekeri Umoru, an employee of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc attached to the Maintenance Department of the Presidential Villa, testified in a video recording that conspirators discussed disconnecting electricity supply to the seat of the nation’s power as part of their coup plan. Umoru, who is the fourth defendant in the case, made the revelations during an interview with the Special Investigative Panel (SIP) that first probed the conspiracy, and the video was played in open court as part of the ongoing trial-within-trial to determine the voluntariness of the defendants’ statements. The Federal Government has charged six men with 13 counts bordering on treason, terrorism, failure to disclose security intelligence, and money laundering linked to terrorism financing. The alleged mastermind, Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji, remains a central figure in the plot, while a former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, is said to be at large.
Umoru told investigators that meetings were held to plan the disconnection of the Presidential Villa’s electricity supply, a move intended to create chaos and facilitate the coup. He warned, however, that such an act would trigger immediate investigations and result in the detention of all workers on duty at the time. “We conducted a meeting to disconnect the electricity supply to the Presidential Villa,” Umoru said in the video. He expressed concern that tampering with the Villa’s power supply was not a trivial matter and that any such attempt would inevitably lead to a full security sweep, endangering the lives of innocent staff members. Despite his reservations, he alleged that Col. Ma’aji, the first defendant, had offered him money through Insp. Ahmed Ibrahim, the third defendant, to recruit between 18 and 19 individuals working inside the Villa. The recruits were to include soldiers, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), and fellow Julius Berger employees.
According to Umoru, Ma’aji was adamant about gaining access to the Presidential Villa, boasting that he could do so “by force” even if the inside recruits failed to cooperate. The alleged plot took a more specific turn when Inspector Ibrahim allegedly asked Ma’aji for ₦100 million to facilitate the operation through an ambulance route into the Villa. Ma’aji reportedly refused, calling the sum too high, and insisted that he could still force his way inside, though he acknowledged that such a forceful entry would lead to bloodshed. Umoru said he became increasingly uncomfortable with the plan and made several attempts to return the money he had received from the conspirators. “Accessing the Presidential Villa was not a trivial matter,” he told investigators. He also denied ever having access to the Villa’s solar power plant, rebutting allegations that he intended to sabotage the electricity supply.
The video evidence also revealed a critical gap in Umoru’s actions. When asked why he did not report the alleged plot to authorities immediately, he claimed that Inspector Ibrahim discouraged him, instructing him to delete messages and avoid contacting Ma’aji because an audit was ongoing in their office. This explanation is likely to be scrutinised by the court as it evaluates the credibility of the witness and the authenticity of his statements. Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the case until May 21, 2026, for the continuation of the trial-within-trial, which is aimed at determining whether the defendants’ statements were made voluntarily or under duress.
The Federal Government, acting through the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), filed the charge, identified as FHC/ABJ/CR/206/2026, on April 20, 2026. The Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), is leading the prosecution. The six defendants are: retired Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana (1st defendant), retired Captain (NN) Erasmus Ochegobia Victor (2nd defendant), Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim (3rd defendant), Zekeri Umoru (4th defendant), Bukr Kashim Goni (5th defendant), and Abdulkadir Sani (6th defendant). Timipre Sylva, the former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, has been named as an alleged participant but remains at large, and authorities have not disclosed any progress toward his arrest.
The case has drawn intense public attention because of the direct involvement of individuals with access to the Presidential Villa. The fact that a Julius Berger employee, a police inspector, and a retired major general stand accused of plotting to overthrow a democratically elected government raises profound questions about the depth of the conspiracy and the effectiveness of internal security protocols at the nation’s most protected facility. The prosecution has alleged that the defendants not only planned physical attacks but also engaged in money laundering to finance their operations, though specific financial details have not yet been presented in open court.
As the trial-within-trial continues, Justice Abdulmalik will have to rule on the admissibility of the statements made by the six defendants. If she finds that any of the statements were obtained under duress, that evidence could be excluded, potentially weakening the prosecution’s case. Conversely, if the statements are admitted, they could provide a roadmap for convicting the alleged conspirators. The adjournment to May 21 means that the critical ruling on voluntariness is imminent. For now, Zekeri Umoru’s testimony stands as a startling glimpse into a plot that, if true, aimed to plunge the nation into constitutional crisis. The court’s eventual decision will determine whether the alleged coup plotters face the full weight of the law or walk free on technical grounds.
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