By Juliet Usman
An Islamic cleric, Sheikh Bukar Kashim Goni, standing trial over an alleged plot to overthrow the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has told the Federal High Court in Abuja that over ₦10 million traced to his account was for prayers and charitable purposes.
Sheikh Goni is among six defendants facing prosecution in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CR/206/2026, filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice over an alleged foiled coup.
Other defendants in the case include retired Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana; retired Naval Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor; serving Police Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim; and two others, Zekeri Umoru and Abdulkadir Sani.
At the resumed hearing on Tuesday, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik viewed video evidence showing interactions between the cleric and security operatives investigating the case.
Confronted with financial records allegedly linking him to the principal suspect, Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji, Sheikh Goni denied any involvement in a coup plot, insisting the funds he received were strictly for spiritual services.
According to him, his relationship with the military officer was based on requests for prayers over personal challenges, including alleged delays in promotion. He explained that he relocated to Karu in Abuja after fleeing insurgency in Maiduguri.
Investigators, however, challenged his claims, pointing to bank records that allegedly showed transactions dating back to March 2023—months before the issues cited by the cleric. They also referenced transfers running into millions of naira, including a ₦10 million payment reportedly made in October 2024.
Security operatives further queried discussions between the cleric and the principal suspect, which allegedly included references to gaining “access” and acquiring “work tools”—terms investigators argued suggested a broader operation.
Despite the evidence presented, Sheikh Goni maintained that he had no knowledge of any illegal plan and denied involvement in political or military activities.
In a separate video played in court, another defendant, Umoru, said he was “misled” into associating with the principal suspect. The staff member of Julius Berger Nigeria, attached to the Presidential Villa’s maintenance department, denied knowledge of any coup plot but admitted receiving cash payments, including a “Ghana Must Go” bag said to contain ₦8.8 million, which he claimed was tied to business dealings.
The court had earlier reviewed footage in which some defendants allegedly admitted to coded communications, meetings, and reconnaissance activities around the Presidential Villa, though they denied participating in anye concrete attempt to overthrow the government.
Justice Abdulmalik adjourned further hearing in the case until May 11, 12, and 13.
The Federal Government alleges that the defendants conspired in September 2025 to levy war against the state, an offence punishable under Section 37(2) of the Criminal Code. They were also accused of having prior knowledge of the alleged plot but failing to inform authorities, as well as rendering assistance to the principal suspect.
Additional charges include terrorism-related offences under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, with prosecutors alleging that the defendants conspired to commit acts of terrorism.
The defendants, who pleaded not guilty upon their arraignment on April 22, remain in the custody of the Department of State Services pending the determination of the case.
Meanwhile, former Bayelsa State governor, Timipre Sylva, was also mentioned in the charge and is reportedly at large after allegedly leaving the country before the plot was uncovered.
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