Zekeri Umoru, a Julius Berger employee at the Presidential Villa and one of the alleged coup plotters, testified in a video played before a Federal High Court in Abuja. He said discussions were held to switch off the electricity supply to the Villa to aid the alleged coup aimed at President Bola Tinubu and other top officials. Umoru claimed that Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji, the alleged mastermind, offered him money to recruit 18‑19 insiders, including soldiers, SSS officials, and Villa staff. Ma’aji allegedly insisted he could enter the Villa by force, even if it meant bloodshed.
Key Points:
The plot involved disabling electricity to create a security breach for an armed takeover.
Recruiting insiders from security agencies and Villa workers shows sophisticated planning.
Umoru said he became uncomfortable and tried to return the money, fearing the operation was “no child’s play.”
Inspector Ibrahim allegedly demanded N100 million to use an ambulance route, but Ma’aji refused.
The case shows credible threats to the seat of power, testing the resilience of presidential security.
Sources: Premium Times (NAN)
