A fourth defendant in the ongoing trial over an alleged coup plot against President Bola Tinubu has told a Federal High Court in Abuja that he had no knowledge of any plan to overthrow the government, insisting he was deceived by those he met during the course of his interactions.

The defendant, Zekeri Umoru, who works in the maintenance department at the Presidential Villa under Julius Berger Nigeria, made the denial in a video statement played in court as part of prosecution evidence against six accused persons.

The trial resumed before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, with proceedings briefly interrupted by a minute of silence in honour of a deceased colleague of one of the defence lawyers, reportedly killed in a road accident.

In his recorded statement to investigators, Umoru explained how he first came into contact with individuals linked to the case through Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, who is attached to the Presidential Clinic at the Villa.

According to him, Ibrahim introduced him to a man identified as Hassan Mohammed, later alleged to be Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji. Umoru said he initially believed Ma’aji was a businessman who needed electrical services for a construction project.

He told the court that he later began receiving multiple cash payments during meetings involving Ibrahim and another associate. He described occasions where he and others were given between ₦100,000 and ₦120,000 after social gatherings, and said he also received a larger sum—about ₦8.8 million—which he deposited into a bank account after it was counted at a Zenith Bank branch. He further claimed an additional ₦2 million was handed to him the following day during another meeting.

Umoru said he became suspicious after repeated cash exchanges and confronted Ibrahim, who allegedly told him that Ma’aji was dissatisfied with the country’s condition and intended to “sanitise the government” with the help of unnamed supporters.

He also admitted allowing another associate into the Presidential Villa but maintained that he believed the visit was for legitimate reasons. He said he later saw the visitor taking photographs in his office and warned him against it.

Despite these admissions, Umoru repeatedly insisted that he never knew of any coup plan and described himself as having been misled by those involved. He apologised for his actions and expressed support for the current administration.

The court also reviewed a separate video involving an Islamic cleric, Sheikh Imam Kassim Goni, who denied participating in any coup-related activity. He claimed that funds received were for prayers and charitable purposes, though investigators presented financial records suggesting larger transfers than he admitted.

Prosecutors argued that the video evidence pointed to suspicious meetings, coded conversations, and movements around sensitive government areas, but all defendants denied involvement in any attempt to overthrow the government.

The case was adjourned until May 11, 12, and 13 for continuation of trial after the judge granted time for defence counsel to review newly tendered video evidence.