Suspected Coup Plotter Details Plan to Cut Power at Presidential Villa

A Julius Berger maintenance worker accused in a treason trial admitted discussing a scheme to switch off electricity to the Presidential Villa in Abuja. In video evidence shown in Federal High Court, Zekeri Umoru said he warned that cutting power would trigger investigations and detentions. He told the Special Investigative Panel that Col. Mohammed Ma’aji, alleged mastermind of the coup, offered him money to recruit soldiers, DSS operatives and Villa staff for the plot. Umoru claimed Insp. Ahmed Ibrahim later demanded ₦100 million to facilitate entry via an ambulance route, but Ma’aji refused, fearing the sum was too high. He said Ma’aji was prepared to use force and anticipated bloodshed if recruits backed out. The court has adjourned the trial until May 21 to assess the voluntariness of statements by Umoru and five co-defendants. They face 13 counts, including treason, terrorism financing and money laundering.

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