An Islamic cleric, Sheikh Bukar Kashim Goni, who is standing trial over an alleged plot to overthrow the administration of Bola Tinubu, has told the court that over N10 million transferred to his bank account was meant for prayers.
Sheikh Goni is among six defendants currently facing trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja in connection with the alleged coup attempt.
Other defendants in the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/206/2026, filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, include retired Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana; retired Naval Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor; serving Police Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim; and two others—Zekeri Umoru and Abdulkadir Sani.
At the resumed hearing on Tuesday, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik viewed video evidence showing the cleric’s interaction with security operatives investigating the case.
When confronted with financial records indicating multiple transfers allegedly linked to the principal suspect, Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji, the cleric denied any involvement in a plot against the government.
He maintained that all funds he received were strictly for “prayers and charitable purposes.”
The defendant explained that he relocated to Karu in Abuja after fleeing insurgency in Maiduguri and said his relationship with the military officer was based solely on religious engagements and requests for spiritual support.
According to him, Col. Ma’aji approached him for prayers over issues including delayed promotion and other personal challenges.
Despite his denial, investigators questioned inconsistencies in his account, noting that financial records showed transactions dating back to March 2023—months before the issues he cited.
They also highlighted transfers amounting to millions of naira, including a ₦10 million payment allegedly made in October 2024.
Investigators further queried conversations between the cleric and the principal suspect that referenced gaining “access” and acquiring “work tools,” which they argued suggested involvement in a broader operation.
However, Sheikh Goni insisted he had no knowledge of any illegal plan and denied involvement in political or military activities.
In a separate video presented in court, another defendant, Zekeri Umoru—an employee of Julius Berger Nigeria attached to the maintenance department of the Presidential Villa—claimed he was “misled” into associating with Col. Ma’aji.
He also denied knowingly participating in any coup plot, though he admitted receiving several cash payments, including a “Ghana Must Go” bag said to contain ₦8.8 million, which he believed was related to business opportunities.
Earlier video evidence had allegedly shown some defendants admitting to coded communications, meetings, and reconnaissance activities around the Presidential Villa, though they denied any concrete attempt to overthrow the government.
Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the case to May 11, 12, and 13 for further hearing.
The Federal Government alleged that the defendants, sometime in September 2025, conspired to levy war against the state to overawe the President—an offence punishable under Section 37(2) of the Criminal Code.
They were also accused of having prior knowledge of a planned treasonable act involving Col. Ma’aji and others but failing to inform authorities, as well as rendering assistance by not disclosing the alleged plot.
Additional charges include failure to take preventive steps and conspiracy to commit terrorism under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the 13-count charge upon their arraignment on April 22 and were remanded in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) pending determination of the case.
Meanwhile, Timipre Sylva, a former governor of Bayelsa State and ex-Minister of State for Petroleum Resources under Muhammadu Buhari, was also mentioned in the charge and is reportedly at large after allegedly leaving the country before the plot was uncovered.
The charges against the defendants include treason, terrorism, failure to disclose security intelligence, and money laundering linked to terrorist activities.
