The Federal Government has listed about 30 prosecution witnesses to testify against a retired army major general, a retired navy captain, a police inspector and three others standing trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja over an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
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The defendants are facing charges bordering on treason, terrorism financing, failure to disclose information and money laundering.
Those standing trial are retired Major General Mohammed Gana, retired Navy Captain Erasmus Victor, Police Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Goni and Abdulkadir Sani.
The witnesses were listed in the proof of evidence filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja, where the prosecution said it would rely on investigators, senior military officers, bank officials, forensic experts, hotel representatives and civilian witnesses to prove the allegations against the defendants.
According to the charge filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, the defendants allegedly conspired with one Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji 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 allegedly handled funds linked to the alleged conspiracy.
The proof of evidence shows that the Federal Government intends to rely on documentary exhibits, financial records, forensic analysis of electronic devices and testimonies from military and civilian witnesses.
Among those listed are investigating officers who handled the case, forensic experts who extracted and analysed data from mobile phones recovered during 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 said to be linked to the prosecution’s case.
The listed witnesses include investigation officers who allegedly handled the investigation and recovered documentary exhibits.
Officials of Access Bank are expected to tender account opening documents, statements of account and other banking records.
Officials of Union Bank, Fidelity Bank, Zenith Bank, Providus Bank, United Bank for Africa, First City Monument Bank, First Bank, Ecobank, Jaiz Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank, SunTrust Bank and Opay Digital Services Limited are also listed to tender banking records.
Forensic experts are expected to testify on the extraction and analysis of mobile phones recovered from the defendants during investigation.
The civilian witnesses listed include Aminu Abdullahi, who is expected to testify on instructions allegedly received from Colonel Ma’aji and the receipt and disbursement of funds.
Abdulganiyu Ahmed is expected to testify on vehicles allegedly purchased in connection with the case.
Moses Opata is listed to testify on contracts allegedly awarded for refurbishing vehicles linked to the defendants.
Peter Gambo, identified as a golf kit dealer, is expected to testify on the alleged sale of golf kits to Squadron Leader Noel Zuzu.
The prosecution also listed representatives of Brookville Hotel & Suites, Abuja; Greenland Luxury Apartments, Abuja; and Hotel 17, Kaduna, to testify on hotel reservations and meetings allegedly organised by Ma’aji and others.
Military witnesses listed by the prosecution include Captain Haruna, Officer Commanding, 81 Division Provost Company, who is expected to testify on a military Hilux vehicle allegedly kept in Military Police custody.
Corporal Bejide Kehinde is expected to testify on arms and ammunition allegedly signed out from the armoury of 130 Battalion, Maiduguri.
Colonel Y.B. Mohammed is listed to testify on arms and ammunition allegedly received for safekeeping at the 1 Division Garrison Armoury.
Brigadier General E. Agada is expected to testify that 403 Amphibious Brigade did not request the backloading of arms and ammunition from 130 Battalion.
Captain K.I. Eromosele is also listed to testify that 130 Battalion Rear did not request arms and ammunition from 130 Battalion Main.
The prosecution also informed the court that it reserved the right to file additional evidence and call more witnesses as the trial progresses.
TheNigerialawyer, recalls that the Federal Government had earlier filed a 13-count charge against the civilians and former military officers allegedly involved in the plot, while serving military officers connected to the case are facing court-martial proceedings.
The case has generated public attention following earlier proceedings in which some defendants were remanded over allegations of treason, terrorism financing and failure to disclose information about the alleged plot.
The matter also drew controversy after journalists were reportedly barred from covering a bail hearing involving the alleged coup plotters.
In another proceeding, the court reportedly watched video evidence in which an ex-navy captain and a police inspector were said to have admitted knowledge of an alleged move against the Tinubu administration, while denying direct participation.
One of the defendants, Sheikh Goni, had also denied involvement in any coup plot, claiming that funds allegedly received from a military officer were meant for prayers and charity.
Families of detained military officers linked to the alleged plot had earlier appealed to President Tinubu to ensure fairness and transparency in the court-martial proceedings, urging that prosecution should not become persecution.
The fresh witness list signals the Federal Government’s readiness to proceed with the trial and present evidence linking the defendants to the alleged plot, financial transactions, meetings, arms movement and other acts forming the basis of the charges.
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