The prosecution, Wednesday, opened its case in the trial of six men accused of plotting to overthrow the President Bola Tinubu-led government, by calling four witnesses.
One of the witnesses, a soldier from the Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police (NACMP), gave details of how the alleged coup plot was uncovered and what investigators later found out.
The witness, whose identity was shielded, but identified as “AAA,” said he was part of the team that investigated the case after the then Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General O. O. Oluyede received an intelligence report that Colonel M. A. Ma’aji and some others were plotting to overthrow the government.
Led in evidence by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), the witness confirmed knowing the six defendants.
The witness said he knew the defendants, who he said were arrested in connection with the coup plot involving Col. Ma’aji, some other servicing military officers and civilians.
He said, upon receiving the intelligence report by the then COAS, it was analysed, processed and found credible, before he (the COAS) gave a directive to his team to investigate the allegations in the report.
The witness said his team proceeded to arrest Col. Ma’aji, recovered his Samsung Galaxy phone, conducted search in his residence and recovered a jotter, among other items.
He said the jotter contained among others, operational plans, names and designations of ranking members of the current regime as well as officers that were to be assassinated in the course of the coup.
The witness added: “Inside the jotter, we also found information about political and structural changes that were to be made upon the execution of the coup.”
He said when the phone recovered from Col. Ma’aji was sent for forensic analysis, the result disclosed elaborate plans and links between Col Ma’aji, some of the officers involved in the plot and the defendants.
The witness added: “We also found financial trails between Ma’aji, former Governor Timipre Sylva and some of the defendants here before the court.
“Also, inside the phone, we found code words known among the plotters , including some of the defendants before this court.”
He added: “We also observed financial trails between some of the defendants and Col. M. A. Ma’aji. Monies were paid to some of the defendants in pursuit of the coup plot.”
The witness added that in the course of investigation, they came across a company called Purple Wave, which he claimed “is one of the companies used as a conduit to sponsor the coup plot.”
Further hearing in the case has been adjourned till May 4 and 5 at 11 am during which the fourth prosecution witness will resume his testimony.