Presidential Villa Staff Confesses Role in Alleged Coup Plot Against Tinubu

A Presidential Villa staff member has admitted involvement in an alleged 2025 coup plot against President Bola Tinubu. Here’s everything revealed in court, including key confessions and latest updates.

Philips News reports that a dramatic twist has emerged in Nigeria’s ongoing coup trial as a staff member of the Presidential Villa has confessed to playing a role in an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The revelation came during proceedings at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where prosecutors presented video evidence linking multiple suspects to the controversial 2025 coup allegation.

Villa Worker Admits Involvement

The defendant, identified as Zekeri (Zekari) Umoru, reportedly worked in the maintenance department of the Presidential Villa.

In a video played before the court, Umoru admitted he had some level of involvement but claimed he was misled by others and was unaware of the full scope of the plan.

Umoru, the fourth accused person and an employee in the maintenance department at the Presidential Villa, working with Julius Berger Nigeria, said he was co-opted into the coup plot by one Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, attached to the Presidential Clinic.

In a recorded video of his extra-judicial statement made in respect of the coup plot, Umoru narrated how his contact with individuals later identified as key figures in the plot began in May 2025 through the third defendant, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, attached to the Presidential Clinic.

He told investigators that Inspector Ibrahim introduced him to a man named Hassan Mohammed, whom he later identified as Colonel Mohammed “Ma’aji,” under the pretext of offering him electrical work at a building under construction.

According to his statement:

• He was introduced into the network through a contact linked to the Presidential Clinic
• He did not fully understand the alleged mission at the time
• He later realized the seriousness of the situation.

Umoru recounted multiple instances where he received money from Colonel Ma’aji, sometimes in the presence of Ibrahim. He also described several visits by Ma’aji and another associate, Usman, whom he later discovered to be military personnel.

The accused person told the court that during one meeting at a location identified as “Tiger Bar,” Ma’aji gave money ranging between ₦100,000 and ₦120,000 to him and his associates after buying drinks and making inquiries about their professions.

A more significant transaction, according to the video, occurred on September 24, 2025, when Ma’aji allegedly handed him a “Ghana Must Go” bag containing cash.

He said he deposited the money at a branch of Zenith Bank, where it was counted as N8.8 million.

Umoru further testified that the following day, he and Inspector Ibrahim met Ma’aji again, during which an additional N2 million was given, with instructions that Ibrahim would later brief him on further details.

Inside the Alleged Coup Network

Court documents and prosecution claims suggest the plot involved a network of individuals across different sectors, including:

• Retired military officers
• A serving police inspector
• Civilian collaborators, including the Villa worker

Some suspects allegedly held secret meetings and coordinated logistics, while others were said to have received financial backing tied to the plan.

What Prosecutors Are Saying

The Federal Government alleges that the group:

• Conspired to overthrow the Nigerian government
• Planned operations targeting key state institutions
• Maintained communication channels to execute the plot

Video confessions from multiple defendants are now being used as critical evidence in the trial.

Background to the 2025 Coup Allegation

The alleged coup plot first surfaced in late 2025, when security agencies reportedly uncovered suspicious activities involving individuals with military and insider access.

Authorities claim the plan, if successful, could have destabilized Nigeria’s democratic structure.

Trial Status

• The case is still ongoing at the Federal High Court
• Some defendants have admitted partial involvement
• Others have denied the allegations or claimed they were deceived

No final judgment has been delivered at this time.

Why This Case Matters

This case stands out due to:

• The involvement of a Presidential Villa insider
• Alleged links to security personnel
• The serious implications of an attempted government overthrow

It highlights growing concerns about internal security vulnerabilities and the importance of intelligence operations in safeguarding democracy.