How Wike was nearly approached to finance coup against Tinubu

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A retired naval captain standing trial over an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration has admitted that he was aware of the plan but insisted he repeatedly advised its alleged mastermind to abandon the idea.

According to investigation records obtained by Premium Times, Erasmus Victor told investigators that although he discussed the alleged conspiracy several times with Army Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji, he neither supported the plot nor helped to secure funding for it.

Victor, a former chairman of Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area of Rivers State, is one of six defendants currently facing trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja over the alleged 2025 coup plot.

In his statement, Victor acknowledged communicating with Ma’aji through the encrypted messaging application Zangi and discussing potential financiers, military operations and possible appointments in a post-coup government.

He, however, maintained that some of the conversations were made in jest and that he only pretended to cooperate in order to discourage Ma’aji from pursuing the alleged plan.

Security agencies launched an investigation into the alleged conspiracy after it was uncovered in September 2025.

Investigators alleged that the suspects planned to assassinate President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas before seizing power.

Other alleged targets reportedly included service chiefs and senior government officials, while members of the group were allegedly assigned responsibilities covering military operations, reconnaissance, logistics, propaganda, fundraising and spiritual consultations.

Victor said he had known Ma’aji since their days at the Nigerian Defence Academy, where he served as Commanding Officer of the Burma Battalion while the colonel worked as his adjutant.

According to him, Ma’aji became deeply frustrated after failing to secure a promotion around 2023.

Victor said he advised the officer to prepare for retirement instead of allowing the setback to consume him.

He claimed the colonel rejected the advice, saying he was prepared to do “anything necessary,” even if it cost him his life.

Victor told investigators that he interpreted the statement as a sign that Ma’aji intended to organise a coup and repeatedly urged him not to proceed.

He further alleged that Ma’aji later sought financial support for the operation and suggested approaching several influential individuals for funding, including the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Victor, who served as chairman of Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area while Wike was governor of Rivers State, said the minister was the only person on the list he personally knew.

He insisted that he neither contacted Wike nor approached any other individual for financial assistance, adding that he simply informed Ma’aji that he could not secure any sponsors.

Victor also claimed he later began to suspect that the alleged plot might be fraudulent.

“I suspected it was 419,” he reportedly told investigators, explaining that he wondered whether Ma’aji genuinely intended to stage a coup or was merely trying to obtain money from wealthy individuals.

He admitted using the encrypted messaging application recommended by Ma’aji, saying he downloaded it solely to communicate with the colonel and another suspect, Lieutenant Colonel Shamsuddeen Bappah.

Victor also acknowledged discussions about possible appointments in a proposed post-coup government but insisted they were not serious.

According to him, when Ma’aji asked what position he wanted, he jokingly reminded him of an earlier promise to appoint him Chief of Staff to the President, only for the colonel to respond that he would instead make him a minister.

Victor maintained that the exchange did not amount to support for the alleged conspiracy.

He further admitted that he never reported the alleged plot to security agencies, despite claims that Bappah had openly told him about plans to overthrow the government.

The retired officer also disclosed that Ma’aji estimated the operation would require about ₦2 billion to execute.

According to Victor, he warned the colonel that advances in communication technology and surveillance would make it almost impossible to conceal such an operation.

He added that although Ma’aji later claimed to have secured funding independently, he merely responded, “Good.”

Victor also admitted forwarding revolutionary-themed social media content to Ma’aji through WhatsApp but insisted he consistently discouraged the alleged coup plan throughout their interactions.

He maintained that his failure to report the alleged conspiracy should not be interpreted as participation in it.