The Federal Government on Wednesday opened its case in the trial of six men accused of plotting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s government by calling four witnesses.
One of the witnesses, a soldier from the Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police (NAC-MP), gave details of how the alleged coup plot was uncovered and what investigators later found out.
The witness, whose identity was shielded but identified as “AAA,” said he was part of the team that investigated the case after the then Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General O. O. Oluyede, received intelligence that Colonel M. A. Ma’aji and others were planning to overthrow the democratically elected government.
Led in evidence by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), the witness confirmed that he knew the six defendants standing trial.
He stated that the defendants were arrested in connection with the alleged coup plot involving Col. Ma’aji, other serving military officers, and civilians.
According to the witness, the intelligence report received by the then COAS was analysed and found credible, prompting a directive for a full investigation into the allegations.
He added that his team subsequently arrested Col. Ma’aji, recovered his Samsung Galaxy phone, and conducted a search of his residence where a jotter and other items were found.
The witness explained that the recovered jotter contained operational plans, names and designations of top government officials, as well as details of officers allegedly marked for assassination as part of the plot.
He further disclosed that the jotter also included plans for political and structural changes to be implemented after the execution of the coup, while forensic analysis of the phone revealed detailed communications and links between Col. Ma’aji, other officers involved in the plot, and the defendants.
