Behind Nigeria’s murky coup plot – the money, the prayers and a Nollywood arrest

For months, whispers and clandestine operations have shrouded Nigeria’s supposed coup attempt on Independence Day last year. Now, with the indictment of six civilians linked to the plot, the first glimpses into a complex scheme to remove President Bola Tinubu have emerged. The planned coup was set for 1 October 2025, Nigeria’s 36th anniversary of independence from the UK. Yet, just hours before the ceremonial parade—attended by the president—was abruptly called off, and the government remained silent about the reason.

It wasn’t until January that the military acknowledged the thwarted coup attempt, revealing 16 unnamed officers would face court-martial. This week, court documents filed in Abuja’s Federal High Court have identified Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji as the alleged mastermind. The strategy reportedly aimed to destabilize the nation prior to the planned takeover. The six civilians on trial, including a police inspector and ex-military members, are not eligible for a military court, leaving their case to be heard in the civilian judiciary. They have contested 13 charges, ranging from treason to money laundering, though their trial may illuminate a broader plan involving Nigeria’s security forces.

The Alleged Mastermind

Colonel Ma’aji, a 50-year-old Muslim from western Niger State, rose through the ranks in the southern oil-rich Niger Delta during the mid-2000s. This was a time of intense oil militancy, with armed militants using speedboats to attack infrastructure and abduct foreign workers. His career coincided with this turmoil, and he cultivated connections with key figures in the region. Among them was Timipre Sylva, a prominent oil businessman and former Bayelsa state governor. Sylva played a role in negotiating a ceasefire, which later led to an amnesty in the creeks in 2009. Ma’aji also coordinated security for Sylva during his unsuccessful gubernatorial bid in 2015.

“This is where Timipre Sylva is alleged to come in,” said a military investigator who spoke to the BBC under anonymity. The 67-year-old is not officially indicted but appears in seven of the 13 charges, marked as “still at large” in each reference. Sylva, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) party, served as oil minister during the final years of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration and is suspected of funding the plot against Tinubu.

Sylva’s alleged involvement has sparked controversy. His house in Abuja was raided by investigators after the Independence Day event was canceled, though his spokesman initially denied any connection to the coup. The spokesperson claimed the accusations were politically motivated and that Sylva was in the UK for medical treatment, set to return to prove his innocence. He has yet to do so.

Funding the Plot

Financial resources were critical for the operation. Court documents suggest several civilians were paid for their roles in the conspiracy, with amounts ranging from 2 million naira (£1,000; $1,500) to 50 million naira (£27,500; $37,000). These sums are described as “reasonably ought to have known forms proceeds of an unlawful act… terrorism financing.” While the exact details remain in the military’s purview, the civilians’ trial may uncover the full scale of the financial network supporting the plot.

Nigeria’s history of military coups has long been a concern, but the country has remained under civilian rule since 1999. Recent coups in West African nations have fueled speculation that Nigeria might be next, with economic struggles and political disputes over electoral fairness adding to the tension. The current case, however, highlights the intricate ties between civilian and military actors in what appears to be a well-organized challenge to the nation’s leadership.