ABUJA – Fresh court documents have revealed how military officers and civilians accused of plotting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration were allegedly assigned strategic responsibilities targeting key government institutions, military formations and critical infrastructure across Abuja and other parts of the country.

According to investigative documents presented before the Federal High Court in Abuja and reported by Premium Times, one of the suspects, identified as Usman, was allegedly tasked with leading the takeover of the Presidential Villa after conducting reconnaissance with the assistance of insiders, including a police officer. Prosecutors also alleged that the plot included plans to secure Radio House, Air House, military headquarters, airports and the official residences of senior military officers. A video tendered in court reportedly showed one of the defendants, Zekeri Umoru, claiming the conspirators considered cutting electricity to the Presidential Villa but abandoned the idea after he warned it would immediately trigger security alerts.

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The documents further alleged that Major Abdulkarim Ibrahim was assigned to take over Radio House and announce the change of government, while Nigerian Air Force Squadron Leader S.B. Adamu was to secure Air House. Other officers were reportedly assigned to seize the residences of the Chief of Army Staff and the Chief of Defence Staff, while airports in Abuja and Lagos were allegedly identified as critical targets, with plans to disrupt flight operations by blocking runways. Investigators also claimed the suspects planned to mobilise troops, gun trucks, weapons and ammunition from several military formations across the country.

Court records also indicated that some of the accused officers disagreed over the use of violence during the alleged operation. While some reportedly argued that senior military officers should be arrested rather than harmed, another defendant claimed discussions included the possibility of killing top military commanders to prevent resistance. The defendants have denied wrongdoing and challenged the admissibility of video recordings and extra-judicial statements presented by the prosecution, arguing they were improperly obtained. The trial continues before the Federal High Court in Abuja.