The federal government has assembled a list of 30 prosecution witnesses to testify against a retired army major general, an ex-navy captain, a police inspector, and three others currently standing trial for an alleged plot to overthrow the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
This follows previous reports where the identities of over 40 officers and civilians allegedly linked to the plot were disclosed.
The government has since filed 13-count charges against the civilian and ex-military defendants, while active-duty officers are facing separate court-martial proceedings.
The charges encompass treason, terrorism financing, failure to disclose information and money laundering, which the prosecution asserts are in violation of Nigerian laws.
The individuals facing trial include the retired major general, Mohammed Gana; the retired navy captain, Erasmus Victor; police inspector Ahmed Ibrahim; Zekeri Umoru; Bukar Goni; and Abdulkadir Sani.
The Proof of Evidence, filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja, indicates that the prosecution team will utilize testimony from investigators, senior military officials, financial institution staff, forensic experts, and hotel representatives to support their case.
According to the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, the defendants purportedly conspired with a colonel, Mohammed Ma’aji, and other individuals currently at large, to wage war against Nigeria and unlawfully remove President Tinubu from office.
The prosecution’s case rests on documentary exhibits, financial records, forensic analyses of electronic devices, and oral testimony from both military and civilian sources.
The witness list includes representatives from 13 financial institutions, forensic experts who examined recovered mobile phones, and personnel from hotels where the alleged meetings took place.
The prosecution also noted that it reserves the right to file additional evidence and call more witnesses as the trial progresses.
FULL LIST OF PROSECUTION WITNESSES
Investigation officers
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Investigation Officers – Officers who handled the investigation and recovered documentary exhibits.
Bank officials
2. Access Bank – Officials expected to tender account opening documents, statements of account and other banking records.
3. Union Bank – Officials expected to tender banking records.
4. Fidelity Bank – Officials expected to tender banking records.
5. Zenith Bank – Officials expected to tender banking records.
6. Providus Bank – Officials expected to tender banking records.
7. United Bank for Africa (UBA) – Officials expected to tender banking records.
8. First City Monument Bank (FCMB) – Officials expected to tender banking records.
9. First Bank – Officials expected to tender banking records.
10. Ecobank – Officials expected to tender banking records.
11. Jaiz Bank – Officials expected to tender banking records.
12. Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) – Officials expected to tender banking records.
13. SunTrust Bank – Officials expected to tender banking records.
14. Opay Digital Services Limited – Officials expected to tender banking records.
Forensic experts
15. Forensic Experts – Experts who extracted and analysed mobile phones recovered from the defendants.
Civilian witnesses
16. Aminu Abdullahi – Expected to testify on instructions allegedly received from Colonel Ma’aji and the receipt and disbursement of funds.
17. Abdulganiyu Ahmed – To testify on vehicles allegedly purchased in connection with the case.
18. Moses Opata – To testify on contracts awarded for refurbishing vehicles allegedly linked to the defendants.
19. Peter Gambo (Golf kit dealer) – Expected to testify on the sale of golf kits to Squadron Leader Noel Zuzu.
Hotel representatives
20. Brookville Hotel & Suites, Abuja – Representatives expected to testify on hotel reservations and meetings allegedly organised by Mr Ma’aji and others.
21. Greenland Luxury Apartments, Abuja – Representatives expected to testify on hotel reservations and meetings allegedly organised by Mr Ma’aji and others.
22. Hotel 17, Kaduna – Representatives expected to testify on hotel reservations and meetings allegedly organised by Mr Ma’aji and others.
Military witnesses
23. Captain Haruna – Officer Commanding, 81 Division Provost Company, expected to testify on a military Hilux vehicle allegedly kept in Military Police custody.
24. Corporal Bejide Kehinde – To testify on arms and ammunition allegedly signed out from the armoury of 130 Battalion, Maiduguri.
25. Colonel Y.B. Mohammed – To testify on arms and ammunition allegedly received for safekeeping at the 1 Division Garrison Armoury.
26. Brigadier General E. Agada – To testify that 403 Amphibious Brigade did not request the backloading of arms and ammunition from 130 Battalion.
27. Captain K.I. Eromosele – To testify that 130 Battalion (Rear) did not request arms and ammunition from 130 Battalion (Main).
