Video footage of the interview sessions by investigators with three of the six men facing charges for an alleged plot to subvert the administration of President Bola Tinubu were presented today at a Federal High Court in Abuja.
In the video recordings played in open court, two of the three defendants – retired Navy Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor and Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim (second and third defendants) – confessed to knowledge of the coup plot, while retired Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana denied knowledge of the plot, reports The Nation.
The video recordings are stored in a hard disc given by the prosecution but attorneys to the defendants have objected to the admissibility of the recordings on the ground that their clients did not make the comments willingly.
The defence counsel also objected to the playing of the recordings in open court before they had been entered in evidence.
But Justice Joyce Abdulmalik overruled them and ordered the tapes to be broadcast saying that it was the customary practice.
Justice Abdulmalik stated she had noted the objection raised by the defence and that a trial within trial would be held to assess the voluntariness or otherwise of the remarks.
The first interview session presented was that of Maj Gen Gana who said that he retired from the Nigerian Army in 2010 as Chief of Defence Logistics and had led a tranquil life since then.
Gana, who claimed he has never been involved in any act of indiscipline or criminality, informed investigators he knew the suspected mastermind of the operation, Colonel M. A. Ma’aji.
He stated he knew Ma’aji had difficulties with his promotion, but was not aware that he was preparing a coup, adding that he would have reported if he had known.
The retired Maj Gen said he was originally linked with the alleged scheme over a two million naira transfer which investigators traced to him.
He also confessed to providing a copy of the coup speech read by Joshua Dongayaro during a previous coup in the country via WhatsApp.
He also admitted to exchanging certain messages with anti-government rhetorics by the same means, but said he just sent the content he had received and did not change or create it.
Gana claimed he did not know when the investigators told him that the coup speech seized from Colonel Maji was customized in line with the coup-related speech he submitted.
However, he refuted reports of carrying out surveillance at the Presidential Villa, participating in efforts to raise money, including getting billions from a former governor.
Retired Captain Victor (the second defendant) admitted that he knew Ma’aji and was aware of the plot to overthrow the government but did not report to any security agency because of his relationship with him (Ma’aji).
He added Ma’aji had griped about his promotion not coming through and “out of anger he said he wants to overthrow the system.”
Victor stated he cautioned against the behavior, and suggested the cop consider retirement.
He confessed in the film he was approached to provide financial assistance, to help raise finances for the plot, or to aid them to get an apartment with a promise of an appointment when the coup occurs.
The retired Navy Captain stated he declined to participate in the plot, acknowledged he maintained communication on a secure messaging platform and conceded coded language was employed during the discussions.
He told the court that he was not involved in any operational arrangement and he never assisted Ma’aji as he was asked.
Victor stated his relationship with Ma’aji distorted his thinking, adding that if there was no relationship between them, he would have reported to any security organizations like Navy, which is his constituency.
The retired Navy Captain stated he wished he had reported about the plot.
A repentant Victor said he was sorry he had not reported the conspiracy to the proper authorities, as he should have, and asked for leniency.
“I feel really bad to be in this position,” he said, comparing his position to being at the wrong place at the wrong time.
Victor added: I am begging for compassion. The Almighty God himself claimed he was sorry that he created man, yet nevertheless keeps showing pity on man.
“If the government can give amnesty to terrorists and bandits that are killing innocent souls, call them repentant and reintegrate them into the society, I should also be forgiven because I have served the country meritoriously in the Navy,” he said.
Police Inspector Ibrahim attached to the State House told investigators that he was first solicited to help smooth the promotion of Colonel Ma’aji through contacts within government circles.
Ibrahim later reported his talks with Ma’aji had switched from promotion issues to suspected moves to overthrow the government.
He confessed to collecting N1.4 to N1.5 million naira and conducting surveillance around the Presidential Villa including Aguda House.
He said he photographed elements of the presidential mansion, including the president’s residence and the landscape around it and discussed different ways of getting in.
The inspector further found coded terminology such as “fertiliser” and “farming” was used during talks in reference to funds and the suspected scheme.
But he said it was poor judgment on his part that led him to participate, based on his association with the prime suspect.
Ibrahim said he only pretended to go along with the alleged plotters since he knew they had no way of getting into the state house.
It was observed that at the beginning of every interview session, the investigator always informed the defendant about the reason for audio visual recording of the session and that it was in conformity with the requirement of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).
The investigators further said that the tape was intended to guarantee that the statement provided by each of the accused is voluntarily made and not under compulsion, torture or promise of any advantages.
They were also informed they had the right to keep silent if they chose not to speak.
Further hearing continues tomorrow Tuesday at 11am
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