Crime & Court
‘I was misled,’ Villa worker tells court in alleged coup plot trial
The fourth defendant in the alleged coup plot trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja, Zekeri Umoru, on Tuesday denied knowledge of any plan to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s government, declaring in a recorded statement played in court that he was “misled”.
Umoru, a maintenance worker at the Presidential Villa engaged by a construction firm, made the claim in a video recording tendered by the prosecution as part of evidence against six defendants standing trial over the alleged plot.
In the footage played in open court, the defendant told investigators that he was introduced to key figures in the case by the third defendant, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, who is attached to the Presidential Clinic.
He said Ibrahim introduced him to one Hassan Mohammed, whom he later discovered to be Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji.
Umoru explained that he initially believed Ma’aji was a civilian businessman who intended to engage him for electrical work at a building under construction.
He, however, told investigators that he subsequently received several cash payments from Ma’aji during meetings attended by Ibrahim and another associate identified as Usman.
Recounting one of such meetings at a bar, Umoru said Ma’aji allegedly gave between N100,000 and ₦120,000 to him and others after buying drinks and asking about their professions.
He further disclosed that on September 24, 2025, Ma’aji allegedly handed him a “Ghana Must Go” bag filled with cash.
According to him, he deposited the money in a bank, where it was counted and confirmed to be N8.8m.
He added that an additional N2m was allegedly given to him the following day during another meeting involving Inspector Ibrahim.
Umoru told investigators that he became uneasy over the repeated cash payments and demanded an explanation from Ibrahim.
He claimed that Ibrahim told him Ma’aji was dissatisfied with the state of the country and intended to “sanitise the government” with the support of unnamed associates described as “boys”.
The defendant further alleged that discussions included plans to involve an ambulance driver to facilitate access into the Presidential Villa, with promises of financial rewards.
Despite the revelations, Umoru maintained that he had no knowledge of any coup plot.
“I was misled,” he said, adding that he would have distanced himself from Ma’aji had he known he was a military officer or had intentions beyond business.
Umoru also admitted escorting Usman into the Presidential Villa, noting that security personnel granted access after he identified the visitor as someone who came to see him.
He added that he later caught Usman taking photographs in his office and warned him to desist.
The defendant expressed regret during the interview, apologised to his employers, and affirmed 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 involvement in the alleged plot.
Goni told investigators that funds he received from Ma’aji were meant strictly for prayers and charitable causes, including spiritual interventions linked to alleged promotion challenges.
However, investigators presented financial records indicating transfers running into millions of naira, including a ₦10m transaction in October 2024, which they said contradicted aspects of his claims.
The prosecution further argued that discussions captured in the videos—particularly references to gaining access and procuring “work tools”—raised concerns about a coordinated scheme, although both individuals denied any knowledge of a coup plot.
Following the presentation of the video evidence, counsel to the sixth defendant, Michael Numa (SAN), told the court that he had just been served with his client’s video exhibits and required time to study them.
While defence counsel sought an adjournment, the prosecution, led by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), urged the court to adhere to its earlier directive for accelerated hearing of the case.
Justice Abdulmalik subsequently adjourned proceedings till May 11, 12 and 13, 2026, for continuation of trial.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arraigned popular social media influencer and relationship therapist, Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, widely known as Blessing CEO, before the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, over an alleged N36m fraud linked to a property transaction.
Blessing CEO was docked before Justice Deinde Dipeolu on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and stealing.
At the resumed proceedings on Thursday, defence counsel, P. I. Nwafor, told the court that the defendant had refunded part of the money allegedly obtained from the complainant.
According to him, the influencer had refunded N24m out of the N36m involved in the matter and was making moves to settle the outstanding balance.
“We have an application to make. The defendant approached the nominal complainant and refunded N24m out of the N36m,” Nwafor said.
“We are asking for a short adjournment to resolve the outstanding balance. The nominal complainant agreed that if the balance is paid, they can prevail on the EFCC to drop the case.”
But prosecuting counsel, Suleiman I. Suleiman, opposed the request, insisting that the anti-graft agency was not part of any settlement discussion between the parties.
“The complainant here is the Federal Government of Nigeria, and we are here for the arraignment. We urge that the defendant take her plea, as that is the business of the day,” he said.
Ruling on the submission, Justice Dipeolu held that any discussion between the defendant and the nominal complainant would not stop the criminal proceedings.
“The defence and the nominal complainant can have discussions even during the pendency of the charge. It does not affect the proceedings before the court. The defendant will take her plea,” the judge ruled.
According to one of the charges, Blessing CEO allegedly obtained N36m from one Mrs Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye between July 14 and 17, 2024, under the guise of securing for her a six-bedroom detached duplex located at No. 1B, Tunbosun Osobu Street, off Kuboye Road, Lekki, Lagos.
The EFCC alleged that the representation was false and violated Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
The second charge accused the defendant of fraudulently converting the said N36m, property of the complainant, to personal use, contrary to Sections 383 and 390 of the Criminal Code Act.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following her plea, the prosecution urged the court to remand her in a correctional facility and fix a date for trial.
However, the defence counsel informed the court that the defendant had only been served with the charges on May 14, 2026, adding that efforts were ongoing to file her bail application.
He thereafter appealed to the court to allow the defendant remain in EFCC custody pending the perfection of her bail conditions.
Justice Dipeolu granted the request and ordered that Blessing CEO be remanded in EFCC custody.
The case was subsequently adjourned till June 5, 2026, for commencement of trial.
Crime & Court
Nursing Mother Bags 20 Years For Terrorism Support, Illegal Possession of 302 Rounds Of AK-47 Ammunition
A Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday sentenced a woman, Halima Haliru Umar, to 20 years’ imprisonment for unlawful possession of 302 rounds of AK-47 live ammunition and attempting to support acts of terrorism.
Justice Hauwa Yilwa handed down the sentence after the defendant pleaded guilty to two counts in a four-count charge filed against her by the Department of State Services.
The DSS had arrested the convict in Plateau State and subsequently arraigned her before the court on March 11.
The prosecution reviewed the facts relating to counts three and four, to which the defendant pleaded guilty, prompting the court to adjourn for judgment.
Delivering judgment, Justice Yilwa held that the defendant, by pleading guilty, admitted to the facts presented by the prosecution and failed to provide any defence against the allegations.
The defence counsel, Hamza Dantani, had urged the court to temper justice with mercy, describing the convict as a first-time offender who was remorseful.
He further told the court that the defendant is a nursing mother of a one-year-old child who was arrested alongside her.
According to him, the defendant did not waste the time of the court as she admitted to the offences during arraignment.
Counsel for the prosecution, Caliistus Eze, also informed the court that there was no record of previous conviction against the defendant.
Justice Yilwa thereafter sentenced Umar to 20 years’ imprisonment on count three and one year on count four.
The judge adjourned the matter till July 9 for the commencement of trial on counts one and two, to which the defendant pleaded not guilty.
Crime & Court
UNIBEN killing: Edo security squad arrests 12 suspected cultists, seals initiation centres
Security operatives in Edo State have arrested 12 suspected cultists and sealed two apartments allegedly used as initiation centres during coordinated raids across parts of Benin City following the killing of a young man near the gate of the University of Benin.
The operation, code-named “Operation Flush Out Cultists and Kidnappers,” was carried out by the state’s Special Security Squad after the killing recorded on Sunday, May 10, 2026.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Patrick Ebojele.
According to the statement, the Chief Security Officer and Principal Security Officer to the governor led the raids conducted in Ekosodin, Isihor, Old Road off S&T Barracks, Airport Road, 19th Street Ugbowo, Ogba-Evbuodia and Evbuomore Quarters, all in Benin City.
Spokesman for the security squad, Noah Idemudia, alleged that some youth leaders within communities in the state were aiding violent crimes and harbouring criminal elements.
He said intelligence reports indicated that sophisticated weapons used in deadly attacks were often traced to communities across the state.
“Reports reaching us indicate that some persons are allegedly harbouring criminals. Intelligence reports also suggest that sophisticated weapons used in deadly attacks on citizens are allegedly sourced from communities.
“The governor is warning community leaders to maintain peace in their various communities and ensure that no unlicensed weapons are found in their possession, as they will be held liable and treated as criminals,” Idemudia said.
He, however, clarified that the 12 suspects arrested were not directly linked to the killing near the university gate.
According to him, the suspects were allegedly identified as members of different cult groups after security operatives reportedly discovered symbols, signs and other incriminating materials on them during the raids.
Idemudia added that the suspects had been handed over to the Anti-Cultism Unit of the Nigeria Police Force for profiling and further investigation.
Speaking on the properties sealed during the operation, he said one of the apartments was allegedly being used as a cult initiation centre.
He explained that operatives came under attack while attempting to arrest suspects at the location, forcing authorities to seal the premises and invite the property owner for questioning.
He added that another apartment raided allegedly contained shrines and fetish items scattered across several rooms, which investigators suspect were being used for initiation into different confraternities.
According to him, the owner of the property had also been invited for questioning by security agencies.
“The governor has warned those sponsoring cultism and violent killings in the state to desist immediately.
“Anyone found aiding criminality in Edo State will face the full weight of the law, as the state will no longer be conducive for criminal elements,” Idemudia added.
He also warned against unlawful gatherings, alleging that some cult groups were planning anniversary celebrations across the state.
-
Politics1 week agoAPC Primary: Lafi defeats rivals, clinches Akinyele/Lagelu Reps ticket
-
Politics1 week agoJubilation as Oseni Wins Oyo South APC Primary
-
News1 week ago‘We Won’t Bow To Terror’, Makinde Declares As Gunmen Abduct Oyo Pupils, Teachers
-
News4 days agoPolice arrest ASP in viral ‘I’ll kill, shoot anyone filming me’ video