Zekari Umoru, one of the six defendants standing trial over an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu, has told a Federal High Court in Abuja that he was misled into the incident.
Umoru, a staff member of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc attached to the Presidential Villa maintenance department, made the claim in a recorded extra-judicial statement played before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.
How alleged involvement began
He said his contact with the accused persons began in May 2025 through Ahmed Ibrahim, a police inspector attached to the presidential clinic and the third defendant in the case.
According to him, Ibrahim later introduced him to a man identified as Hassan Mohammed, also known as “Col. Mohammed Ma’aji”, who allegedly presented himself as a businessman seeking help with construction-related jobs.
Cash transfers and repeated meetings
Umoru told investigators that he initially believed Ma’aji was a civilian because bank transfers linked to the dealings carried the name Hassan Mohammed.
He said he received multiple payments, sometimes in the presence of Ibrahim, and attended meetings where money was also shared among participants.
He recounted a meeting at a location identified as “Tiger Bar”, where Ma’aji allegedly distributed between ₦100,000 and ₦120,000 to those present after social interactions.
Alleged ₦8.8m cash delivery
Umoru further claimed that on September 24, 2025, he received a “Ghana-Must-Go” bag containing cash, which he later deposited at a Zenith Bank branch and confirmed to be ₦8.8 million.
He said another ₦2 million was allegedly handed over the next day, with Ibrahim expected to explain its purpose later.
Claims of alleged plot discussion
He told the court that Ibrahim later hinted that Ma’aji was unhappy with the state of the country and planned to “sanitise the government” with the support of unnamed associates.
Umoru also alleged there was mention of using an ambulance driver to gain access into the Presidential Villa.
Denial of coup involvement
Despite the allegations, Umoru insisted he had no knowledge of any plan to overthrow the government, saying he only became suspicious later.
He said he confronted Ibrahim after noticing repeated financial transactions and claimed he was misled throughout the process.
Umoru also apologised to his employers and expressed support for President Tinubu’s administration.
Case background
The Federal Government is prosecuting six defendants in the case marked FHC/ABJ/CR/206/2026, including Umoru, Ibrahim, and several retired military officers.
They were arraigned on 13 counts on April 22, 2026.