An Islamic cleric based in Kaduna, Abdulkadir Sani, has told investigators that individuals allegedly involved in a planned coup against the administration of Bola Tinubu approached him for spiritual assistance and prayers.

The disclosure emerged during proceedings at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, where six defendants are currently facing trial over an alleged failed attempt to overthrow the government.

A video recording of Sani’s interrogation by military investigators was played before the court as part of the prosecution’s evidence.

In the recording, the cleric claimed he became acquainted with the alleged coup mastermind, Mohammed Ma’aji, a serving army colonel, less than a year before the arrests.

According to Sani, an intermediary identified as Sanda contacted him on behalf of Ma’aji to seek prayers and spiritual guidance regarding the success of the alleged operation.

“Sanda told me his Oga wanted to stage a coup and needed prayers and divination to know whether it would succeed,” Sani stated in the video recording.

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The cleric further claimed that after conducting prayers, he informed the alleged organisers that the operation would not succeed because betrayal from within the group would eventually expose the conspiracy.

According to him, he later received another request asking for additional prayers aimed at preventing the suspected betrayal.

Sani also alleged that names of supposed conspirators were sent to him for inclusion in prayers and that money was transferred to him through intermediaries.

However, he denied receiving payment to support a coup attempt, insisting the funds were donations intended for charity and spiritual activities.

“I did not collect money for a coup. The money was for prayers,” he maintained during the interrogation.

The defendant also admitted he did not alert security agencies about the alleged plot, explaining that he was uncertain about whom to report the information to.

He narrated that his arrest occurred after he visited the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission following the restriction of his bank account.

According to him, he became aware authorities had flagged the account after attempting to withdraw part of the transferred funds.

Sani claimed he later contacted a deputy director at the EFCC and explained that the money was connected to prayer activities rather than any unlawful operation.

He also denied making any confession relating to a coup while in EFCC custody.

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The Federal Government of Nigeria had earlier arraigned Sani alongside retired Brigadier-General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana and four others over the alleged conspiracy.

Other defendants include retired navy captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, police inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Presidential Villa electrician Zekeri Umoru, and Bukar Kashim Goni.

The six defendants are facing a 13-count charge involving allegations of treason, terrorism, money laundering, and failure to disclose information concerning the alleged conspiracy.

Authorities said the alleged plot was uncovered in September 2025, leading to the arrest of both serving and retired military officers as well as civilian collaborators.

Some military personnel linked to the case are reportedly facing separate proceedings before a General Court Martial.

During Monday’s hearing, prosecution counsel Rotimi Oyedepo sought to tender extra-judicial statements and video recordings allegedly obtained from the defendants.

However, defence lawyers opposed the move, arguing that the statements were not voluntarily made and alleging coercion and lack of legal representation during interrogations.

Following the objections, trial judge Joyce Abdulmalik ordered a joint trial-within-trial to determine whether the statements and video evidence would be admissible in court.

The prosecution has already presented four witnesses, including an army officer identified only by the codename “AAA” for security reasons.