The court admitted into evidence a hard disk containing the recordings, tendered by prosecution counsel Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, despite objections from defence lawyers who argued that the statements were not made voluntarily and should not be played in open court before admissibility was determined.
Overruling the objections, Justice Abdulmalik held that playing such recordings in court was standard procedure, while noting that a “trial-within-trial” could later be conducted to determine the voluntariness of the confessions.
In one of the recordings, retired Navy Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor admitted that he was aware of discussions about overthrowing the government but failed to report the plot due to his personal relationship with the alleged mastermind, Col. M. A. Ma’aji.
Victor told investigators that Ma’aji, who was reportedly aggrieved over stalled promotion, had expressed intentions to “overthrow the system.”
He said he advised against the move and suggested retirement instead, insisting that he neither participated in nor supported the plan.
However, Victor acknowledged that he maintained communication with the principal suspect through a secure messaging platform where coded language was used.
He also confirmed that he was approached to provide financial support and assist in logistics, including securing accommodation, with promises of political appointment if the plot succeeded, offers he said he declined.
Expressing remorse in the video, Victor admitted that his failure to report the plot was a grave error and pleaded for clemency, describing his predicament as “being at the wrong place at the wrong time.”
Also featured in the recordings was Police Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, attached to the State House, who admitted deeper involvement.
Ibrahim told investigators that he initially engaged with Ma’aji over efforts to facilitate his promotion, but discussions later shifted to plans to overthrow the government.
He confessed to receiving between N1.4 million and N1.5 million and participating in reconnaissance activities around the Presidential Villa, including Aguda House.
Ibrahim said he took photographs of strategic locations, including the president’s residence, and discussed possible access routes.
The inspector further revealed that coded terms such as “fertiliser” and “farming” were used in communications to disguise references to funding and operational plans.
He, however, claimed his actions were influenced by misplaced loyalty and insisted he did not believe the plot could succeed.
Earlier, a separate recording of retired Major-General Mohammed Gana showed him distancing himself from the plot.
Gana admitted knowing the alleged mastermind and forwarding coup-related materials and anti-government messages via WhatsApp but denied any operational involvement or financial contribution.
He explained that his name surfaced during investigations over a N2 million transfer but maintained that he neither participated in reconnaissance activities nor contributed to any funding efforts.
At the start of each recording, investigators were heard informing the defendants that the sessions were being recorded in line with provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 to ensure transparency and voluntariness.
The defendants were also reminded of their right to remain silent.
Justice Abdulmalik subsequently adjourned the matter to May 5 for continuation of trials.