One of the suspected coup plotters, Zekeri Umoru, on Wednesday told the Federal High Court in Abuja that discussions were held about cutting electricity supply to the Presidential Villa as part of the alleged coup plot.

Umoru, an employee of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc working in the Maintenance Department at the Presidential Villa, made the disclosure in a video evidence played before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.

In the video, Umoru said he warned those involved that disconnecting power to the Villa would immediately trigger investigations and lead to the detention of workers on duty.

The fourth defendant alleged that the suspected mastermind, Col. Mohammed Ma’aji, through the third defendant, Insp. Ahmed Ibrahim, offered him money to recruit between 18 and 19 personnel working inside the Presidential Villa.

According to him, those to be recruited included soldiers, Department of State Services (DSS) officials, and Julius Berger staff.

Umoru further claimed that Ma’aji said he wanted access to the Presidential Villa and could achieve it “with force” if insiders refused to cooperate.

He also alleged that Insp. Ibrahim demanded N100 million from Ma’aji to facilitate access into the Villa through an ambulance route, but that Ma’aji rejected the amount as too high.

According to Umoru, Ma’aji insisted he could still force his way into the Presidential Villa, although “there would be bloodshed.”

He said he later became uncomfortable with the alleged plot and repeatedly attempted to return the money given to him, noting that gaining access to the Presidential Villa “was not a child’s play.”

Umoru denied allegations that he planned to sabotage electricity supply within the Villa, insisting he never had access to its solar power plant.

Explaining why he did not immediately report the alleged discussions to authorities, he claimed Insp. Ibrahim discouraged him from doing so and advised him to delete messages and avoid contact with Ma’aji because of an ongoing audit in their office.