The federal government has lined up 30 prosecution witnesses to testify against a retired army major general, an ex-navy captain, a police inspector and three others standing trial over an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Last year, PREMIUM TIMES published the names of more than 40 officers and civilians allegedly involved in the plot. The government later filed 13-count charges against the civilians and ex-military officers, while the serving officers are being court-martialed.
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The charges border on treason, terrorism financing, failure to disclose information and money laundering, offences the prosecutor argued violated Nigerian laws.
The defendants include the retired major general, Mohammed Gana; the retired navy captain, Erasmus Victor; police inspector Ahmed Ibrahim; Zekeri Umoru; Bukar Goni; and Abdulkadir Sani.
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The list, contained in the Proof of Evidence exclusively obtained by this newspaper and filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja, shows that prosecutors will rely on investigators, senior military officers, bank officials, forensic experts, hotel representatives and civilian witnesses to establish the allegations against the six defendants.
According to the charge filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, the defendants allegedly conspired with Mohammed Ma’aji, a colonel, and others now at large, to wage war against Nigeria and unlawfully remove President Tinubu from office.
The prosecution further alleged that some of the defendants failed to report knowledge of the alleged coup plot, while others were accused of handling funds linked to the conspiracy.
The proof of evidence indicates that the prosecution intends to rely on documentary exhibits, financial records, forensic analysis of electronic devices and testimonies from both military and civilian witnesses to prove its case.
Among those listed are investigating officers who handled the case, forensic experts who extracted and analysed data from mobile phones recovered during the investigation, officials of 13 financial institutions expected to tender bank records, representatives of three hotels where some of the alleged meetings reportedly took place, and senior military officers expected to testify on issues relating to the movement and custody of arms and ammunition.
Other civilian witnesses are expected to testify on alleged financial transactions, vehicle purchases and refurbishment linked to the prosecution’s case.
FULL LIST OF PROSECUTION WITNESSES
Investigation officers
1. 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).
The prosecution also informed the court that it reserves the right to file additional evidence and call more witnesses as the trial progresses.
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