Fresh Twist In Alleged Coup Trial As Officer Details Personal Feud With Suspected Mastermind

A Nigerian Army officer, Lt. Col. Shamsuddeen Bappah, has told investigators that he began questioning the credibility of an alleged coup plot after losing confidence in the conduct and judgment of one of its alleged masterminds, Col. Mohammed Ma’aji.

According to investigation records obtained by Premium Times, Bappah said his doubts stemmed from what he described as Ma’aji’s numerous relationships with women and his reliance on traditional spiritualists and Islamic clerics.

The officer’s account is contained in an extrajudicial statement that forms part of more than 7,400 pages of evidence compiled by investigators in connection with the alleged attempt to overthrow the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

The documents, reportedly assembled for prosecution before a General Court Martial and the Federal High Court in Abuja, include witness statements, bank records, confidential reports, alleged conversations and other exhibits gathered during the investigation.

Security agencies launched the probe after receiving intelligence in September 2025 about an alleged plan involving serving and retired military personnel, as well as civilians, to violently seize power.

Investigators alleged that the plot targeted President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas and other senior military officials.

According to investigators, members of the alleged network were assigned different responsibilities, including logistics, funding, intelligence gathering, propaganda and operational planning.

In his statement, Bappah said he had known Ma’aji since their days at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), where the senior officer later served as one of his instructors.

He claimed discussions about changing the government had taken place over several years before Ma’aji allegedly became more direct during a meeting at the Command Guest House in Kaduna around 2022 or 2023, where he allegedly said the military would eventually take over power.

Despite attending some of the meetings, Bappah said he gradually became sceptical of the alleged plan because of Ma’aji’s personal lifestyle.

He told investigators that he became uncomfortable with what he considered Ma’aji’s excessive involvement with women, despite being married, and questioned whether someone who struggled with personal discipline could successfully lead a country.

Bappah also expressed concern that such relationships could expose the alleged group to blackmail and public embarrassment.

In addition, he said he was uneasy about Ma’aji’s dependence on spiritualists and Islamic clerics, stating that he did not share such beliefs.

Another suspect, Lt. Cdr. Bayawo Abdullahi of the Nigerian Navy, also reportedly told investigators that he eventually lost confidence in the alleged plot after concluding that Ma’aji lacked the capacity to execute it.

According to investigators, Bappah was nevertheless assigned operational responsibilities, including making arrests in Abuja and preparing a broadcast to be delivered after the alleged takeover, while other suspects were assigned different military tasks.

Bappah also identified Ma’aji’s residence in the Army Housing Estate, Lokogoma, Abuja, as one of the locations where planning meetings allegedly took place.

The officer admitted receiving ₦1.5 million from Ma’aji to repair the engine of his official Toyota Hilux vehicle, which investigators alleged was intended for operational use if the plan succeeded.

He also acknowledged receiving an additional ₦5 million through his Zenith Bank account, claiming Ma’aji instructed him to use the money for his personal needs.

Bappah admitted that he knew discussions about overthrowing the government were unlawful but claimed he did not fully understand the legal implications, adding that he failed to report the alleged plan because he feared retaliation if Ma’aji discovered he had informed authorities.

He further stated that he switched off his mobile phone after learning that Ma’aji and another suspect had been arrested, saying he wanted to avoid being traced by investigators.

Several individuals linked to the alleged coup plot are currently facing prosecution before either a General Court Martial or the Federal High Court in Abuja. Some of the defendants have challenged the admissibility of their extrajudicial statements, with the cases still before the courts.