News
Coup Plot Trials: ‘I Was Misled,’ says Umoru
Justice Abdulmalik subsequently adjourned the matter till May 11, 12 and 13 for continuation of 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, insisting in a recorded statement played in court that he was “misled.”
Umoru, an employee in the maintenance department of the Presidential Villa working with Julius Berger Nigeria, made the claim in a video recording previewed by the court as part of the prosecution’s evidence against the six defendants standing trial over the alleged plot.
In the video played in open court, Umoru told investigators that he first came in contact with persons linked to the case through the third defendant, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, attached to the Presidential Clinic.
He said that Ibrahim introduced him to a man identified as Hassan Mohammed, whom he later discovered was Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji.
According to Umoru, he initially believed Ma’aji was “a civilian businessman” interested in offering him electrical work at a building under construction.
The defendant recounted how he allegedly received several cash payments from Ma’aji during meetings attended by Ibrahim and another associate identified as Usman.
He told investigators that during one gathering at Tiger Bar, Ma’aji allegedly gave “between N100,000 and ₦120,000” to him and his associates after he bought drinks and asked about their professions.
Umoru further stated that on September 24, 2025, Ma’aji allegedly handed him a “Ghana Must Go” bag containing cash.
He said that he deposited the money at a Zenith Bank branch where it was counted and found to be N8.8 million.
According to him, another N2 million was allegedly given the following day during a separate meeting involving Inspector Ibrahim.
The defendant said that he later became uncomfortable with the repeated cash payments and demanded an explanation from Ibrahim.
He alleged that Ibrahim told him Ma’aji was unhappy with the state of the country and planned to “sanitize the government” with support from unnamed associates described as “boys.”
Umoru further claimed that Ibrahim spoke about involving “an ambulance driver” to facilitate access into the Presidential Villa, with expectations of financial reward.
Despite the claims, Umoru repeatedly denied knowledge of any coup plot.
“I was misled,” he said in the video, insisting he would have distanced himself from Ma’aji had he known that he was a military officer or had “any intention beyond business dealings.”
The defendant also admitted escorting Usman into the Presidential Villa, stating that security officials allowed the visitor entry after he indicated the man was there to see him.
He added that he later saw Usman “taking photographs” in his office and warned him against it.
Umoru expressed regret during the interview, apologising to his employers and affirming support for President Tinubu’s administration.
The court also viewed another video involving Islamic cleric, Sheikh Imam Kassim Goni, who denied involvement in the alleged coup plot.
Goni told investigators that monies he received from Ma’aji were strictly for “prayers and charitable purposes,” including spiritual interventions connected to alleged promotion setbacks.
However, investigators pointed to financial records allegedly showing transfers running into millions of naira, including a “₦10m transfer” in October 2024, which they said contradicted aspects of his explanation.
The prosecution further suggested that discussions referenced in the videos, including remarks about gaining access and acquiring “work tools,” raised concerns about a broader scheme, though both individuals denied any knowledge of a coup plot.
Following the preview of the video statement, counsel to the sixth defendant and senior counsel, Michael Numa, told the court he had just received the video exhibits of his client and needed more time to review them.
While the defence counsel argued for an adjournment, prosecution counsel and Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, urged the court to stand by its earlier order for accelerated hearing of the case.
Justice Abdulmalik subsequently adjourned the matter till May 11, 12 and 13 for continuation of trial.
At an earlier hearing on Monday, the court viewed separate videos in which other defendants allegedly admitted to coded communications, meetings and reconnaissance around the Presidential Villa, but denied participating in any concrete plan to overthrow the government.
.….Moves to Strengthen Integrity in Sports..
The Federal Government has inaugurated the Technical Board of the Nigeria Anti-Doping Centre (NADC), reaffirming its commitment to promoting fairness, integrity and excellence in sports.
Speaking at the ceremony in Abuja, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, described the inauguration as a major milestone in Nigeria’s sporting development and a significant step towards ensuring compliance with global anti-doping standards.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, CON, delivering the inaugural speech during the inauguration ceremony of the Technical Board of the Nigeria Anti-Doping Centre (NADC) on Thursday, 2nd July 2026 in Abuja.
Akume said that the inauguration follows the enactment of the National Anti-Doping Act 2025, which established the NADC as a statutory body with the legal authority to implement Nigeria’s anti-doping obligations in line with international regulations.
He noted that the Centre represents the government’s response to past doping challenges that have affected Nigeria’s reputation in global sports competitions.
The SGF charged members of the newly inaugurated Technical Board to carry out their responsibilities with professionalism, independence and accountability, and emphasized that the Board’s mandate includes athlete education, prevention of doping violations, protection of clean athletes and enforcement of anti-doping regulations across all levels of sports development.
(L-R) The Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), Hon. H. M. Omidiran; the Chairman, National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, CON; Chairman, Senate Committee on Sports, Sen. Abdul Ningi and the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, mni, during the inauguration ceremony of the Technical Board of the Nigeria Anti-Doping Centre (NADC) on Thursday, 2nd July, 2026 in Abuja.
Meanwhile ,Chairman, Senate Committee on Sports Development, Abdul Ahmed Ningi, pledged continued legislative support for the anti-doping programme, and commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prioritizing sports development through increased funding, describing sports as a strategic tool for national growth and international recognition.
Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, described the inauguration as another milestone in the ongoing transformation of the sports sector.
He urged the Board to promote integrity and accountability while expanding anti-doping awareness to schools, youth competitions, sports academies and federations nationwide.
(6th left) Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, CON, in a group photograph with the members of the Technical Board of the Nigeria Anti-Doping Centre (NADC) during the inaugural ceremony on Thursday, 2nd July, 2026 in Abuja.
In a landmark move towards modernisation and efficiency, Nigeria’s Supreme Court has unveiled a new comprehensive digital system designed to eliminate manual processes across its operations.
The initiative, announced on Thursday, aims to transform the apex court’s judicial administration by digitising filing, case tracking, judgments, and record-keeping, which have long relied on paper-based systems.
According to a statement from the Supreme Court, the digital platform will enable electronic filing of cases, real-time case status updates, virtual access to court records, and automated workflows to reduce delays and human error.
“This digital transformation marks a new era in the administration of justice in Nigeria,” a senior court official said. “It will significantly cut down on the bottlenecks associated with manual documentation, enhance transparency, and improve access to justice for all citizens.”
The new system is expected to address longstanding challenges including lost files, prolonged adjournments caused by missing documents, and inefficiencies in the appellate process. It aligns with broader e-governance efforts across federal institutions and is projected to save time and resources while minimising physical contact in line with global best practices.
Implementation is set to begin in phases, starting with appellate filings and extending to full operations within the next few months. Training programmes for judges, lawyers, and court staff have already commenced to ensure a smooth transition.
Legal practitioners and stakeholders have welcomed the development, describing it as long overdue. “This will revolutionise how we interact with the judiciary,” said a senior advocate. “No more waiting for physical files or chasing paper trails.”
The Supreme Court assured that the platform will incorporate robust cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive judicial data.
This reform is seen as a significant step in strengthening the rule of law and modernising Nigeria’s justice delivery system.
In a major cultural and modernisation shift for Nigeria’s youth service programme, the traditional khaki uniform of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) is set to be replaced with outfits made from Adire fabric, a iconic indigenous tie-and-dye textile.
The announcement forms part of sweeping reforms approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reposition the NYSC for a changing economy and to promote national pride through local culture.
According to details of the reform package, the current standard white T-shirt and khaki trousers will give way to Adire-designed uniforms that retain the NYSC logo. The changes also include replacing heavy boots with Crocs and lighter training shoes, alongside a shift from the traditional Passing Out Parade (POP) to a new graduation ceremony.
The move is expected to boost local textile industries, particularly Adire production, which is deeply rooted in Yoruba cultural heritage and primarily produced in southwestern Nigeria. Adire, known for its vibrant patterns created through resist-dyeing techniques, has long been celebrated as a symbol of Nigerian creativity and identity.
The reforms stem from recommendations aimed at enhancing professionalism, improving camp conditions, and aligning the NYSC with contemporary realities more than 50 years after its establishment. Legal amendments to the NYSC Act are expected to follow to fully implement the changes.
This development has sparked mixed reactions online, with some hailing it as a welcome embrace of indigenous culture and others viewing it as a symbolic departure from the scheme’s original military-style discipline.
Further details on the timeline for rollout and design specifications are anticipated from the Federal Ministry of Youth Development in the coming weeks.
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