How we planned to breach Presidential Villa, capture Tinubu — Coup suspect reveals

One of the suspects in the conspiracy plot, Zekeri Umoru, made these revelations during the proceedings on Wednesday, indicating that plans were made for disconnecting the power supply at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, in order to facilitate the conspiracy against President Bola Tinubu and other top officials of the government.

Zekeri Umoru is the Maintenance Department staff at the Presidential Villa, working with Julius Berger Nigeria Plc. In his statement recorded in the video evidence presented to Justice Joyce Abdulmalik at the Federal High Court, Abuja, he revealed that if this act was carried out, immediate investigation and arrest of the on-duty workers would ensue.

These were the fourth defendants’ revelations in the video while answering questions from some of the members of the Special Investigative Panel (SIP) who investigated the case. It was also revealed by Mr Umoru that Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji, the alleged conspiracy mastermind, promised to pay him money through Police Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, the third defendant, to recruit people inside the villa.

According to Mr Umoru, individuals recruited for this plan were to include soldiers, officers of the State Security Service (SSS), and workers from Julius Berger Company.

Mr Umoru further revealed to the investigators that Mr Ma’aji told him that he needed access to the Presidential Villa and that he would “achieve his purpose with force” since even those to be recruited from within the Villa might refuse their cooperation.

He added that Inspector Ibrahim asked Mr Ma’aji for N100 million to help execute the plan via the ambulance entrance to the Villa; however, Mr Ma’aji rejected the idea as it was too much money.

According to Mr Umoru, Mr Ma’aji still maintained that he could have accessed the Presidential Villa with force “although there will be bloodshed.” Mr Umoru admitted that at one point he became uncomfortable with the alleged plot and he started returning the money which he received.

Access to the Presidential Villa, according to Mr Umoru, was “no child’s play.”Mr Umoru also denied having any connection with the solar power station inside the Villa.

Regarding why he did not report the allegations of conversations immediately, Mr. Umoru said he was discouraged by Inspector Ibrahim because, during the discussion, Inspector Ibrahim allegedly told him to erase the conversations and not contact Colonel Ma’aji since there was an audit going on at their office.

Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the case to May 21 for the continuation of the trial within a trial aimed at finding out whether or not the statements given were voluntary.

Through the AGF, the FG had preferred 13 counts against the defendants before Justice Abdulmalik.

The charge sheet was filed on April 20 by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN).

The defendants in the charge sheet are: Maj.-Gen. Mohammed Ibrahim Gana (rtd); Cap. (NN) Erasmus Ochegobia Victor (rtd); Insp Ahmed Ibrahim; Zekeri Umoru; Bukar Kashim Goni; and Abdulkadir Sani as first to sixth defendants respectively.

The former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr. Timipre Sylva, who is reportedly involved in the incident, is noted as “at large.”

They were charged with crimes that include treason and terrorism, among others, including the failure to disclose information regarding security matters and financial crimes related to terrorism financing.

(NAN)