Important Lessons
According to court records submitted by the Federal Government, Nigerian Army Colonel Mohammed Ma'aji sought advice and prayers from Islamic clerics while organizing an abortive coup against President Bola Tinubu.
Investigators were informed by Islamic clerics Bukar Goni and Abdulkadir Sani of Kaduna that they discouraged any rebellion despite Ma'aji allegedly paying ₦10 million, ₦20 million, ₦20 million, and ₦2 million.
Six defendants were arraigned by the Federal Government on 13 charges at the Federal High Court in Abuja on April 22. The court will make a decision once the defendants enter a not guilty plea.
The suspected mastermind, Nigerian Army Colonel Mohammed Ma'aji, allegedly sought spiritual support from Islamic clerics while preparing the attempted coup, according to court documents submitted by the Federal Government in the current prosecution over an alleged plot to remove President Bola Tinubu.
The documents, which are part of the prosecution's proof of evidence before the Federal High Court in Abuja and a General Court Martial, said that the colonel frequently sought prayers, counsel, and assistance from clerics, according to Premium Times.
In their answers to investigators, the clergy insisted, meanwhile, that they continuously opposed any plot to topple the government.
The accusations are part of the prosecution's case and are yet up for the court to decide.
In connection with the purported 2025 coup attempt, the Federal Government charged six defendants before the Federal High Court in Abuja on April 22.
former Major General Mohammed Gana, former Navy Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, Police Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Presidential Villa electrician Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Goni, and Islamic cleric Abdulkadir Sani of Kaduna are the accused.
They are charged with 13 counts that include money laundering, terrorism, treason, and failing to divulge information.
The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation initiated the case, designated FHC/ABJ/CR/206/2026.
According to Bukar Goni's confession to investigators, he met Ma'aji through Major M.A. Usman after both military officers requested prayers due to their frequent failure in promotion exams.
Goni claims that the colonel became irate at supposedly not being promoted to brigadier general and thought senior officers were purposefully impeding his career.
The preacher claimed that instead of encouraging the cop to engage in illegal activity, he counseled him to continue praying and doing good deeds.
Goni claimed that Ma'aji later discussed people organizing what he called a "riot," but he maintained that he rejected the notion each time it was brought up.
The statement claims that after informing the officer that he would have a troubling dream, the cleric also utilized what he called a spiritual warning, interpreting it as a sign that any aggressive action would be disastrous.
According to Goni, the officer was momentarily convinced to give up on the purported plot by the warning.
The cleric acknowledged receiving millions of naira from Ma'aji, but he maintained that the money was only intended for mosque building, prayers, and philanthropic endeavors.
He informed investigators that two more transactions of ₦20 million each were later received, and that around ₦10 million was sent within 15 days.
He said that the remaining monies were set aside for the project and that about ₦24.7 million had already been used to buy land for the mosque.
He denied getting any financial help for a purported coup.
Investigators were also informed by another cleric, Abdulkadir Sani, that Ma'aji first came to him solely for prayers at a religious gathering in Bida.
Sani claims that once an intermediary purportedly told him about the impending insurrection, the conversation changed.
According to the priest, he foresaw right away that the plan would fail because two group members would eventually turn on it.
In addition, he said that the colonel placed ₦2 million into his bank account after asking for prayers to stop internal treason.
Sani claimed that after visiting the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to make inquiries, his bank account was subsequently blocked and he was taken into custody.
The prosecution's evidence in the current trial includes the remarks made by the two clerics.
The prosecution claims they were one of several witnesses questioned during the investigation, which involved civilians, police officers, and military officers.
Each of the six defendants has contested the admissibility of their statements and entered a not guilty plea to the allegations.
Based on the evidence that was provided during the trial, the court is likely to decide the accusations.
0 Comments