The fourth defendant in the alleged coup against President Bola Tinubu, told the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday that he was ‘misled.’

The suspect, identified as Zekeri Umoru, in a recorded video statement played in the court, denied any knowledge of plans to overthrow President Tinubu.

Umoru, who works in the maintenance department of the Presidential Villa with Julius Berger Nigeria, made the statement in a video recording tendered by the prosecution as part of its evidence against six defendants standing trial over the alleged plot.

Court proceedings opened on a solemn note following the announcement by defence counsel of the death of a colleague, U.H. Kamra, who reportedly died in a car accident after the previous day’s sitting.

Presiding judge, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, led the court in a minute’s silence before directing that the trial continue.

In the video evidence presented in open court, Umoru told investigators that his involvement began through the third defendant, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, who is attached to the Presidential Clinic. He said Ibrahim introduced him to an individual identified as Hassan Mohammed, later revealed to be Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji.

Umoru explained that he initially believed Ma’aji to be “a civilian businessman” interested in offering him electrical work at a building under construction.

He recounted receiving several cash payments from Ma’aji during meetings attended by Ibrahim and another associate, Usman. At one such meeting at one Tiger Bar, Umoru alleged that Ma’aji gave “between ₦100,000 and ₦120,000” to him and others after buying drinks and inquiring about their professions.

The defendant further stated that on September 24, 2025, Ma’aji allegedly handed him a “Ghana Must Go” bag containing cash. He said he subsequently deposited the money at a Zenith Bank branch, where it was counted and confirmed to be ₦8.8 million.

According to Umoru, an additional ₦2 million was allegedly given to him the following day during another meeting that involved Inspector Ibrahim.

He said he later became uneasy about the repeated cash payments and sought clarification from Ibrahim. Umoru alleged that Ibrahim told him Ma’aji was dissatisfied with the state of the country and intended to “sanitise the government” with support from unnamed associates described as “boys.”

Umoru also claimed that Ibrahim mentioned plans to involve “an ambulance driver” to gain access into the Presidential Villa, with the expectation of financial reward.

Despite these claims, Umoru maintained that he had no knowledge of any coup plot.

“I was misled,” he said in the video, adding that he would have distanced himself from Ma’aji if he had known he was a military officer or had “any intention beyond business dealings.”

The defendant admitted that he escorted Usman into the Presidential Villa, noting that security officials granted access after he informed them the visitor was there to see him. He added that he later caught Usman “taking photographs” in his office and warned him against the act.

Umoru expressed regret during the interview, apologising to his employers and affirming his support for President Tinubu’s administration.

The court also viewed a separate video involving an Islamic cleric, Sheikh Imam Kassim Goni, who similarly denied any involvement in the alleged coup plot.

Goni told investigators that funds he received from Ma’aji were strictly for “prayers and charitable purposes,” including spiritual interventions related to alleged promotion challenges.

However, investigators cited financial records allegedly indicating transfers amounting to millions of naira, including a “₦10m transfer” in October 2024, which they said contradicted aspects of his explanation.

The prosecution further argued that certain discussions referenced in the videos, including remarks about gaining access and acquiring “work tools,” raised concerns about a broader scheme, although both Umoru and Goni denied knowledge of any coup plan.

Following the presentation of the video evidence, counsel to the sixth defendant, Michael Numa, informed the court that he had only just received the video exhibits concerning his client and requested additional time to review them.

While defence counsel urged the court to adjourn the matter, the prosecution counsel and Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) asked the court to maintain its earlier directive for an accelerated hearing.

Justice Abdulmalik subsequently adjourned the case to May 11, 12 and 13 for continuation of the trial.