Alleged Coup Plot: Cleric Tells Court N10m Transfer Was for Prayers

An Islamic cleric standing trial over an alleged plot to topple President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government has told the Federal High Court in Abuja that more than N10 million traced to his account was meant for prayers, not any subversive activity.

The cleric, Sheikh Bukar Kashim Goni, is among six defendants facing prosecution in a case brought by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation over an alleged coup conspiracy.

At Tuesday’s proceedings before Joyce Abdulmalik, the court viewed video recordings of interrogations conducted by security operatives. In one of the clips, Goni denied any involvement in a plan to overthrow the government, insisting that funds linked to the principal suspect, Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji, were given for spiritual purposes.

“All the money I received was for prayers and charitable activities,” the cleric said in the video, maintaining that his relationship with the officer was purely religious.

He explained that he relocated to Karu in Abuja after fleeing insurgency in Maiduguri and became acquainted with Ma’aji through requests for spiritual support, including prayers over career challenges.

However, investigators confronted him with financial records showing multiple transfers, including a N10 million payment allegedly made in October 2024, as well as earlier transactions dating back to March 2023—predating the issues he claimed prompted the requests for prayers.

Security operatives also pointed to conversations in which the cleric allegedly discussed “access” and acquisition of “work tools,” which they argued suggested involvement in a broader operation. Goni, however, denied any knowledge of a coup plot or links to political or military activities.

Another defendant, Zekeri Umoru, a staff member of Julius Berger Nigeria assigned to maintenance duties at the Presidential Villa, also appeared in a separate video played in court. He claimed he was “misled” into associating with the principal suspect and denied knowingly participating in any illegal plan.

Umoru admitted receiving cash payments, including a bag said to contain N8.8 million, but told investigators he believed the money was tied to business dealings.

Earlier video evidence presented in court had shown some of the defendants allegedly acknowledging involvement in coded communications and reconnaissance activities around the Presidential Villa, though they denied any concrete attempt to overthrow the government.

The Federal Government alleged that the defendants, alongside others still at large, conspired in September 2025 to wage war against the state, an offence punishable under the Criminal Code. They are also accused of failing to disclose intelligence about the alleged plot and providing assistance to its principal actors.

Additional charges include offences under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, with prosecutors claiming the defendants conspired to carry out acts of terrorism.

The defendants, who were arraigned on April 22, pleaded not guilty to the 13-count charge and remain in the custody of the Department of State Services.

A former governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, was also mentioned in the charge and is reportedly at large.

Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the case to May 11, 12 and 13 for continuation of hearing.