A Federal High Court in Abuja, yesterday, watched video recordings of investigators’ interview sessions with three of the six men being prosecuted over an alleged plot to overthrow the President Bola Tinubu administration.
In the video recordings played in the open court, two of the three defendants, Navy Capt. Erasmus Victor (rtd) and Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim (second and third defendants), admitted being aware of the coup plot, while Maj-Gen. Mohammed Gana (rtd) denied knowledge of the plot.
The video recordings are on a hard disc tendered by the prosecution, but against which lawyers to the defendants raised objections about admissibility on the grounds that their clients did not make the statements voluntarily.
The defence lawyers also objected to the recordings being played in open court, as they had not yet been admitted in evidence.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik overruled them and ordered that the recordings be played, noting that it was standard practice.
Abdulmalik said she noted the defence team’s objection and that a trial-within-trial would be held to ascertain the voluntariness or otherwise of the statements.
Police Inspector Ibrahim, who was attached to the State House, told investigators he was initially approached to help facilitate Col. Mohammed Ma’aji’s promotion through contacts within government circles. He said the discussions later shifted from promotion matters to alleged plans to overthrow the government.
He admitted receiving between N1.4 million and N1.5 million and participating in reconnaissance operations around the Presidential Villa, including Aguda House.
He said he took photographs of parts of the Presidential Villa, including the President’s residence and surrounding terrain, and discussed possible access routes.
The inspector further confirmed that coded terms such as ‘fertiliser’ and ‘farming’ were used during conversations to refer to funding and the alleged operation.
He maintained, however, that his involvement stemmed from misplaced judgment influenced by his relationship with the principal suspect.
Ibrahim said he merely played along with the alleged plotters because he knew it would be impossible for them to access the State House.
It was noted that at the beginning of every interview session, investigators explained to the defendants the rationale behind the audio-visual recording, which they said was in line with the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).
The investigators added that the recording was being made to ensure that the statements made by each defendant were voluntary and not obtained under coercion, torture, or promises of favours.
They also told them that they had the right to remain silent if they chose not to say anything.
Further hearing resumes today at 11 a.m.
