Alleged Coup: Trial Takes New Twist as Defendant Explains Why Wike Was Mentioned

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Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Minister Nyesom Wike has been named in court documents connected to the alleged conspiracy to overthrow the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

However, investigation records reportedly show there is no evidence that the minister was contacted or had prior knowledge of the alleged scheme.

The revelation emerged from the statement of retired naval captain Erasmus Victor, one of the defendants currently facing trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja over the alleged 2025 coup plot.

Victor admitted that he was aware of discussions concerning the alleged operation.

He, however, insisted that he repeatedly advised the alleged mastermind, Army Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji, to abandon the plan.

According to investigation records, Victor explained that Ma’aji approached him because of their long-standing relationship dating back to their days at the Nigerian Defence Academy, NDA.

He stated that they remained in contact after serving together at the academy, where he was the commanding officer of the Burma Battalion while Ma’aji served as his adjutant.

Victor told investigators that Ma’aji became deeply frustrated after he failed to secure a promotion around 2023.

He said he reached out to encourage the officer and advised him to focus on retirement instead of dwelling on the setback.

“He was very devastated,” Victor reportedly said.

According to Victor, Ma’aji rejected the advice and instead declared that he was prepared to do “anything necessary,” even if it cost him his life.

Victor said he interpreted the remark as an indication that the officer intended to pursue an unconstitutional takeover of government and claimed he consistently discouraged him from following that path.

The retired naval officer further disclosed that Ma’aji later began searching for wealthy individuals who could allegedly finance the operation.

Victor said the names of several prominent Nigerians surfaced during their discussions, including the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Explaining how Wike’s name entered the conversation, Victor said he previously served as chairman of Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area in Rivers State during Wike’s tenure as governor.

“I have been a local government chairman for Ogu/Bolo LGA under Nyesom Wike, and I left office in 2021.”

“He suggested I bring Nyesom Wike into the plan in order to seek funds from him.”

Victor maintained that despite the suggestion, he never contacted Wike or any other individual to seek financial support.

He said he simply informed Ma’aji that his efforts to secure sponsors had been unsuccessful.

He further stated, “I was not under compulsion to tell Col Ma’aji I was going to get him sponsors.”

The investigation records reportedly do not indicate that Wike was aware of the alleged conspiracy or participated in any discussion related to it.

Security agencies commenced investigations after the alleged plot was uncovered in September 2025.

Prosecutors alleged that the suspects planned to assassinate President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, service chiefs and other senior government officials before seizing power.

Investigators also alleged that members of the group had been assigned different responsibilities.

These reportedly included military operations, logistics, recruitment of financiers, intelligence gathering, propaganda and spiritual consultations.

Victor is standing trial alongside serving and retired military officers accused of involvement in the alleged conspiracy.

In his statement, the retired naval officer said he eventually questioned whether Ma’aji genuinely intended to stage a coup.

“I suspected it was 419,” Victor reportedly told investigators.

He explained that he began to wonder whether the officer was merely trying to obtain money from wealthy individuals under the guise of planning a takeover.

Victor argued that anyone who willingly financed an illegal operation would most likely be reluctant to report the matter to security agencies if the funds disappeared.

He maintained that he never attempted to raise money and repeatedly informed Ma’aji that prospective sponsors were unwilling to support the plan.

The investigation also revealed that Victor admitted communicating with Ma’aji through Zangi, an encrypted messaging application.

According to him, the platform was recommended because it provided more secure communication than conventional phone calls.

He said he downloaded the application solely to communicate with Ma’aji and another defendant, Lieutenant Colonel Shamsuddeen Bappah.

Investigators alleged that Bappah received ₦5 million on September 27, 2025, from funds linked to the alleged operation.

Victor, however, denied participating in any financial transactions connected to the case.

The retired naval officer also acknowledged discussions about possible appointments if the alleged coup had succeeded.

According to his statement, Ma’aji once asked him what position he would prefer in the proposed administration.

Victor claimed he jokingly reminded the colonel that he had earlier promised to appoint him as Chief of Staff to the President.

He said the officer instead replied that he would make him a minister.

Victor insisted the conversation was never serious and should not be interpreted as evidence that he supported the alleged conspiracy.

He further disclosed that Ma’aji estimated the operation would require about ₦2 billion.

Victor said he warned that such a plan would be extremely difficult to execute because of modern surveillance systems and communication technology, adding that those realities convinced him the operation would fail.

Although he admitted forwarding some revolutionary-themed social media materials to Ma’aji through WhatsApp, Victor maintained that he consistently advised against the alleged plot and denied taking part in any effort to overthrow the government.

The trial is expected to continue as the Federal High Court examines the evidence presented by the prosecution alongside the responses of the defendants.

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