Alleged coup plot ringleader Col Ma’aji planned to force his way into Presidential Villa – DSS witness tells court

Zekeri Umoru, the 4th suspect successful the ongoing proceedings of six suspected coup plotters astatine the Federal High Court successful Abuja, told a Special Investigative Panel that Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji allegedly said helium wanted entree into the Presidential Villa and could execute it “with force,” adjacent if those recruited from wrong refused to cooperate.

In a video previewed successful tribunal arsenic portion of exhibits successful the ongoing trial-within-trial connected the defendants’ extrajudicial statements, Umoru, who worked with Julius Berger astatine the Presidential Villa session project, alleged that Ma’aji, done the 3rd defendant, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, offered him wealth and instructed him to enlistee betwixt 18 and 19 persons moving wrong the Villa, including soldiers, DSS personnel, and Julius Berger staff.

The witnesser further alleged that discussions were held connected plans to power disconnected energy wrong the Presidential Villa to assistance the operation, but helium warned that specified an enactment would instantly trigger investigations and the detention of workers connected duty.

According to the defendant, Inspector Ibrahim aboriginal demanded 1 100 cardinal naira from M...