Cover
Renowned Legal Practitioner Exposes BPP Officials in Billions Corruption Scandal
A coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) has announced plans to stage mass protests at the National Assembly and the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) office, alleging that BPP Director General Dr Adebowale Adedokun and his chief of staff, Mr Olarewaju Obasa, received kickbacks totaling billions of naira through over 50 bank accounts. The CSOs are demanding accountability and transparency in the BPP’s operations, citing concerns over alleged corruption and mismanagement.
According to the national coordinator of the Coalition, Comrade Haruna AbdulSalam the plan protests are in response to a petition filed by a renowned legal practitioner, Musa Aliyu to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), exposing fraudulent activities and corruption by the accused officials.
The petition which was sighted by this media platform alleged that the BPP under the leadership of Dr Adedokun and Mr Obasa has been fundamentally compromised , issuing of certificate of NO objections has been brazenly monetized becoming a personal meal ticket used to seek gratifications in billions reportedly facilitated by a complex financial network
The CSOs are demanding immediate investigation and prosecution of Dr. ADEDOKUN and Mr. OBASA, citing overwhelming evidence of their wrongdoing.
This development comes amid growing concerns over corruption and mismanagement of public funds in Nigeria. The coalition’s action is seen as a bold move to hold government officials accountable and ensure transparency in public procurement processes
The BPP, established by the Public Procurement Act 2007, is responsible for regulating and overseeing public procurement in Nigeria “
T h e Executive Chairman
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
Dear Sir,
BUREAU O F PUBLIC PROCUREMENT – A CITADEL OF CURRUPTION UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF DR. ADEBOWALE ADEDOKUN, T H E NEWLY APPOINTED DIRECTOR-GENERAL, A N D H I S C H I E F O F STAFF, M R . OLANREWAJU O B A S A – A PETITION FO R ALLEGED CORRUPTION AND ABUSE O F OFFICE.
I N T R O D U C T I O N
As a concerned citizen and a loyal party member of the All Progressives Congress
who has invested precious time and resources over the years to ensure the victory of Mr. President, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his herculean task of establishing a solid foundation for good governance in our dear country Nigeria. Premised on the above abstract, I hereby respectfully submit this petition to your organization, statutorily charged with the responsibility of conducting an urgent and independent investigation into a series of alleged irregular series of criminal manipulation of procurement processes, such as issuance of Certificate of No Objection in favour of over-invoicing over-padded bids for monetary gratification attributed to Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, the Director General, and Mr Olanrewaju Obasa, Chief
of Staff to the Director General, who is also a staff member closely associated with
him. The alleged kickbacks so far received by the duo runs to billions of naira through over 50 bank accounts.
The urgency of this petition stems from alarming reports that the Bureau of Public
Procurement (BPP), under the leadership of Dr. Adedokun and Mr. Obasa, has been
fundamentally compromised. It is alleged that the critical public function of issuing Certificates of N o Objection has been brazenly monetized, becoming a personal “meal ticket” used to solicit gratification amounting to billions of Naira. This scheme is reportedly facilitated by a complex financial network, with over 50 bank accounts opened and maintained by the duo to obscure the origin and flow of these illicit
funds
The concerns raised herein are based on credible information received from
individuals within the procurement and contracting ecosystem. While I do not
presume to determine guilt, the nature of these allegations and their potential
implications for transparency, due process, and public trust necessitate thorough
scrutiny.
- Alleged Negotiation of Payments Before Issuance of Certificates of No
Objection:
Several contractors and government agencies have alleged that the Director General
directly contacts vendors and Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to
negotiate payments on behalf of ministries before issuing Certificates of No
Objection. In some cases, it is claimed that demands of up to 15% of contract sums
were made as a condition for processing or approving certificates. If true, such
practices undermine the integrity of the procurement process and violate due
process principles.
- Specific Allegation Involving CGC Construction Company Limited:
According to reports, a staff member of CGC Construction Company, identified as
Mr Kelvin, a representative of the company, was allegedly pressured to make a
substantial payment before a Certificate of No Objection could be issued for a
project under the Federal Ministry of Works. The sum involved is reported to be
N300,000,000 (Three Hundred Million Naira). I respectfully request that this
specific incidents be reviewed, as it may provide an audit trail for investigators to
follow. - Allegations Regarding Certificates of No Objection:
In some instances, the DG and his COS demand forex from contractors or MDAs
before issuing No Objection Certificates. In other instances, the DG appointed a
personal consultant to negotiate kickbacks on behalf of his principal, and most of
these bribes are paid in cash or in forex.
- Alleged Use of Personal or Connected Companies in Procurement-
Related Activities:
It has been alleged that Mr. Olanrewaju Obasa, purportedly the Chief of Staff to the Director General of the Bureau of Public Procurement, operates entities such as:
- Raboni Global Services Limited
- Sevenoaks Project Limited
Mr Obasa Olanrewaju is reportedly a signatory to the accounts of these
aforementioned companies and has influenced the award of several contracts to
them in various government agencies. Investigators are urged to verify whether
these companies have participated in BPP-supervised processes, to determine if any conflicts of interest exist, and to further establish the extent of contract awards facilitated by Mr Obasa’s involvement.
Attached are the account numbers reportedly associated with Mr Obasa Olanrewaju personally, and with the companies:
DETAILS OF THE COMPANY ACCOUNTS RUN BY BOTH
ADEDOKUN AND OBASA FOR THEIR SYNDICATE ACTIVITIES IN
THE BPP
COMPANY BANK ACCOUNT
NUMBER
ACCOUNT NAME
RABONI GLOBAL
SERVICES
LIMITED
GTB 0161844632
RABONI FIXED
DEPOSIT
ACCOUNT
GTB 0159974697
GTB 0373806295 OBASA JOSEPH
OLANREWAJU
GTB 0375281089 OBASA JOSEPH
OLANREWAJU
GTB 0370698491 OBASA JOSEPH
OLANREWAJU
GTB 0373806305 OBASA JOSEPH
OLANREWAJU
GTB 0384682064 OBASA JOSEPH
OLANREWAJU
GTB 0025366670 OBASA JOSEPH
OLANREWAJU
ACCESS 0047879845 OBASA JOSEPH
OLANREWAJU
ACCESS 0067314499 OBASA JOSEPH
OLANREWAJU
ACCESS 1156444933 OBASA JOSEPH
OLANREWAJU
ACCESS 1156444933 OBASA JOSEPH OLANREWAJU
SEVENOAKS
PROJECT LIMITED
STERLING
BANK
0085590594 OBASA JOSEPH
OLANREWAJU
SEVENOAKS
PROJECT LIMITED
STERLING
BANK
0086784945 OBASA JOSEPH
OLANREWAJU
SEVENOAKS
PROJECT LIMITED
STERLING
BANK
0086785124 OBASA JOSEPH
OLANREWAJU
STERLING
BANK
0090363277 OBASA JOSEPH
OLANREWAJU
STERLING
BANK
0079842524 OBASA JOSEPH
OLANREWAJU
These account numbers are purported to be linked to both Mr Obasa’s personal use
and the listed companies.
Alleged Receipt of Vehicles and Other Items from Contractors:
There are allegations regarding the receipt of luxury vehicles, including a
bulletproof Toyota Land Cruiser and a Toyota Prado Jeep(picture attached
herewith), as well as additional inducements from contractors. Further allegations suggest that certain bank accounts may have been used to receive payments in both naira and U.S. dollars. I request a comprehensive forensic review of these transactions.
It is important to note that the Bureau of Public Procurement did not allocate funds
for these vehicles in its annual budget. If the Office did procure them, evidence of
purchase should be provided. Additionally, the Director General should clarify how
he acquired a luxury vehicle valued at N500,000,000.00 shortly after assuming
office.
A preliminary review suggests the Director General’s total income since taking office
does not justify such high-value acquisitions. Ongoing activities involving Mr. Adedokun, including the construction of multiple personal properties in Abuja,
further raise questions about the source of funding for these projects and purchases.
A review of the relevant bank accounts is recommended.
BANK NAME ACCOUNT NUMBER
ACCESS BANK 1211605299
0039359843
1211690778
0000348777
1211603343
0022912531
1205591474
0015583041
0015506668
0015571978
0039276355
0039342191
0039358925
1211573789
0022898983
1534153608
0039285599
0036079004
0027530163
0739608229
MONIEPOINT 5493459507
STANDARD CHARTERED 0004448777
MONIEPOINT 5629451270
ECO 0312022993
ZENITH 1000793776
STANBIC IBTC 6036803184
STANDARD CHARTERED 5000348789
GTB 0142792499
0681477978
0168493163
0023682200
0168493379
0022815531
0168754192
0025303859
0706336491
0677290666
0022815555
0022815548
0023682190
0604232589
STANDARD CHARTED 0092265504
0022912551
0022898387
6006716020
5006045440
0066716013
5006045479
5006045455
0006000275
STANBIC IBTC 0033851218
0021886110
ZENITH BANK 2000822505
GTB 0023684857
0052876218
STANBIC IBTC 0021903563
0021885704
ACCESS 0092265504
1211651629
1799272577
1797052528
1800170209
0027419602
0034483849
1119623041
1119684428
1211570740
1211684432
008824035
0023887759
1719527240
00285903777
0064758324
1800252848
1778945302
I am aware that the law does not stipulate or limit the number of bank accounts that
may be opened and maintained by individuals, however, having over 50 bank
accounts as a public servant in charge of a sensitive federal agency invokes a moral
burden upon concerned citizens and regulatory bodies to launch an investigation
into the activities of those accounts.
There are over 100 bank accounts suspected of being used for kickbacks or illicit
financial activities, spread across various banks. This indicates a highly organised
attempt to hide the origins and movement of these funds. Using such a large number of accounts typically aims to M U S A A L I Y
Address: No. 1 Herbert Macaulay Way, Wuse, Abuja – Phone: +234 8081 12 6685
T h e Executive Chairman
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
R E C E I V E D 2 4 ! An
Plot 301/302, Institution and Research Cadastral District
Jabi, Abuja.
А м и
Sign •****
RECEPTION
Dear Sir,
BUREAU O F PUBLIC PROCUREMENT – A CITADEL OF
CURRUPTION UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF DR. ADEBOWALE
ADEDOKUN, T H E NEWLY APPOINTED DIRECTOR-GENERAL,
A N D H I S C H I E F O F STAFF, M R . OLANREWAJU O B A S A – A
PETITION FO R ALLEGED CORRUPTION AND ABUSE O F OFFICE.
I N T R O D U C T I O N
As a concerned citizen and a loyal party member of the All Progressives Congress
who has invested precious time and resources over the years to ensure the victory of Mr. President, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his herculean task of establishing a solid foundation for good governance in our dear country Nigeria. Premised on the above abstract, I hereby respectfully submit this petition to your organization, statutorily charged with the responsibility of conducting an urgent and independent investigation into a series of alleged irregular series of criminal manipulation of procurement processes, such as issuance of Certificate of No Objection in favour of over-invoicing over-padded bids for monetary gratification attributed t o Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, the Director General, and Mr Olanrewaju Obasa, Chief of Staff to the Director General, who is also a staff member closely associated with him. The alleged kickbacks so far received by the duo runs to billions of naira
through over 50 bank accounts.
The urgency of this petition stems from alarming reports that the Bureau of Public
Procurement (BPP), under the leadership of Dr. Adedokun and Mr. Obasa, has been
fundamentally compromised. It is alleged that the critical public function of issuing Certificates of N o Objection has been brazenly monetized, becoming a personal “meal ticket” used to solicit gratification amounting to billions of Naira. This scheme is reportedly facilitated by a complex financial network, with over 50 bank accounts opened and maintained by the duo to obscure the origin and flow of these illicit
funds.
The concerns raised herein are based on credible information received from
individuals within the procurement and contracting ecosystem. While I do not
presume to determine guilt, the nature of these allegations and their potential
implications for transparency, due process, and public trust necessitate thorough
scrutiny.
- Alleged Negotiation of Payments Before Issuance of Certificates of No
Objection:
Several contractors and government agencies have alleged that the Director General
directly contacts vendors and Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to
negotiate payments on behalf of ministries before issuing Certificates of No
Objection. In some cases, it is claimed that demands of up to 15% of contract sums
were made as a condition for processing or approving certificates. If true, such
practices undermine the integrity of the procurement process and violate due
process principles.
- Specific Allegation Involving CGC Construction Company Limited:
According to reports, a staff member of CGC Construction Company, identified as
Mr Kelvin, a representative of the company, was allegedly pressured to make a
substantial payment before a Certificate of No Objection could be issued for a
project under the Federal Ministry of Works. The sum involved is reported to be
N300,000,000 (Three Hundred Million Naira).
I respectfully request that this
specific incident be reviewed, as it may provide an audit trail for investigators to
follow.
- Allegations Regarding Certificates of No Objection:
In some instances, the DG and his COS demand forex from contractors or MDAs
before issuing No Objection Certificates. In other instances, the DG appointed a
personal consultant to negotiate kickbacks on behalf of his principal, and most of
these bribes are paid in cash or in forex.
- Alleged Use of Personal or Connected Companies in Procurement-
Related Activities:
It has been alleged that Mr. Olanrewaju Obasa, purportedly the Chief of Staff to the Director General of the Bureau of Public Procurement, operates entities such as:
- Raboni Global Services Limited
- Sevenoaks Project Limited
Mr Obasa Olanrewaju is reportedly a signatory to the accounts of these
aforementioned companies and has influenced the award of several contracts to
them in various government agencies. Investigators are urged to verify whether
these companies have participated in BPP-supervised processes, to determine if any conflicts of interest exist, and to further establish the extent of contract awards facilitated by Mr Obasa’s involvement.
Attached are the account numbers reportedly associated with Mr Obasa
Olanrewaju personally, and with the companies:
DETAILS OF THE COMPANY ACCOUNTS RUN BY BOTH
ADEDOKUN AND OBASA FOR THEIR SYNDICATE ACTIVITIES IN
THE BPP
COMPANY BANK ACCOUNT
NUMBER
ACCOUNT NAME
RABONI GLOBAL
SERVICES
LIMITED
GTB 0161844632
RABONI FIXED
DEPOSIT
ACCOUNT
GTB 0159974697
GTB 0373806295 OBASA JOSEPH
OLANREWAJU
GTB 0375281089 OBASA JOSEPH
OLANREWAJU
GTB 0370698491 OBASA JOSEPH
OLANREWAJU
GTB 0373806305 OBASA JOSEPH
OLANREWAJU
GTB 0384682064 OBASA JOSEPH
OLANREWAJU
GTB 0025366670 OBASA JOSEPH
OLANREWAJU
ACCESS 0047879845 OBASA JOSEPH
OLANREWAJU
ACCESS 0067314499 OBASA JOSEPH
OLANREWAJU
ACCESS 1156444933 OBASA JOSEPH
OLANREWAJU
ACCESS 1156444933 OBASA JOSEPH
OLANREWAJU
SEVENOAKS
PROJECT LIMITED
STERLING
BANK
0085590594 OBASA JOSEPH
OLANREWAJU
SEVENOAKS
PROJECT LIMITED
STERLING
BANK
0086784945 OBASA JOSEPH
OLANREWAJU
SEVENOAKS
PROJECT LIMITED
STERLING
BANK
0086785124 OBASA JOSEPH
OLANREWAJU
STERLING
BANK
0090363277 OBASA JOSEPH
OLANREWAJU
STERLING
BANK
0079842524 OBASA JOSEPH
OLANREWAJU
These account numbers are purported to be linked to both Mr Obasa’s personal use
and the listed companies.
- Alleged Receipt of Vehicles and Other Items from Contractors:
There are allegations regarding the receipt of luxury vehicles, including a
bulletproof Toyota Land Cruiser and a Toyota Prado Jeep(picture attached
herewith), as well as additional inducements from contractors. Further allegations suggest that certain bank accounts may have been used to receive payments in both naira and U.S. dollars. I request a comprehensive forensic review of these transactions.
It is important to note that the Bureau of Public Procurement did not allocate funds
for these vehicles in its annual budget. If the Office did procure them, evidence of purchase should be provided. Additionally, the Director General should clarify how he acquired a luxury vehicle valued at N500,000,000.00 shortly after assuming office.
A preliminary review suggests the Director General’s total income since taking office
does not justify such high-value acquisitions. Ongoing activities involving Mr. Adedokun, including the construction of multiple personal properties in Abuja, further raise questions about the source of funding for these projects and purchases.
A review of the relevant bank accounts is recommended.
BANK NAME ACCOUNT NUMBER
ACCESS BANK 1211605299
0039359843
1211690778
0000348777
1211603343
0022912531
1205591474
0015583041
0015506668
0015571978
0039276355
0039342191
0039358925
1211573789
0022898983
1534153608
0039285599
0036079004
0027530163
0739608229
MONIEPOINT 5493459507
STANDARD CHARTERED 0004448777
MONIEPOINT 5629451270
ECO 0312022993
ZENITH 1000793776
STANBIC IBTC 6036803184
STANDARD CHARTERED 5000348789
GTB 0142792499
0681477978
0168493163
0023682200
0168493379
0022815531
0168754192
0025303859
0706336491
0677290666
0022815555
0022815548
0023682190
0604232589
STANDARD CHARTED 0092265504
0022912551
0022898387
6006716020
5006045440
0066716013
5006045479
5006045455
0006000275
STANBIC IBTC 0033851218
0021886110
ZENITH BANK 2000822505
GTB 0023684857
0052876218
STANBIC IBTC 0021903563
0021885704
ACCESS 0092265504
1211651629
1799272577
1797052528
1800170209
0027419602
0034483849
1119623041
1119684428
1211570740
1211684432
008824035
0023887759
1719527240
00285903777
0064758324
1800252848
1778945302
I am aware that the law does not stipulate or limit the number of bank accounts that
may be opened and maintained by individuals, however, having over 50 bank accounts as a public servant in charge of a sensitive federal agency invokes a moral burden upon concerned citizens and regulatory bodies to launch an investigation into the activities of those accounts.
There are over 100 bank accounts suspected of being used for kickbacks or illicit
financial activities, spread across various banks. This indicates a highly organised attempt to hide the origins and movement of these funds. Using such a large number of accounts typically aims to:
- Avoid detection by financial regulators and bank monitoring systems.
Move illicit funds through structured transactions kept below reportable thresholds
(a method known as “smurfing”).
- Distribute funds among multiple individuals or entities, making tracing more
difficult.
C O N C L U S I O N
Based on the serious and substantiated allegations detailed above, I respectfully urge your office to initiate a comprehensive investigation into these matters. This should include a full review of all pertinent financial transactions, bank accounts, and corporate entities implicated in these activities. I further appeal for the protection of whistleblowers and any individuals who may come forward with vital information.
Finally, I am faithful that, upon conclusion of the investigation, your office will take all necessary and appropriate administrative or legal actions as dictated by the
findings.
I trust this petition will receive the seriousness and confidentiality it deserves.
Thank you for your attention.
Yours faithfully,
M U S A A L I Y U
CC:
- President and the Commander in-Chief,
Federal Republic of Nigeria
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
State House
Aso Rock Villa
Abuja. - Hon Unyime Joshua Idem
Chairman house committee on public procurement, National Assembly.
Cover
IKOH NDI ABIA 2027: The Maturity Of Time For A Calm, Experience And Winning Leadership In Abia State
By Aaron Mike Odeh
Politics, especially in a developing democracy like ours, is beyond mere political activities and electoral contests. It is fundamentally about leadership, vision, emotional intelligence, capacity, and the ability to inspire confidence among the people. In moments when the destiny of a people stands at a defining crossroads, wisdom demands that political parties and stakeholders place competence, experience and acceptability above sentiments and unnecessary experimentation.
As someone who has actively participated in Abia politics for over twenty-six years, occupying different positions at appointment status, i believe I possess the moral standing and practical experience to speak with clarity on the political future of Abia State and the direction the All Progressives Congress (APC), should take ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
My political journey and Media Consultancy has taken me across the length and breadth of NIGERIA including Abia State. From Arochukwu to Ukwa, from Umunneochi to Ikwuano, I have interacted closely with party leaders, grassroots mobilizers, traditional institutions, youths, women groups and stakeholders across different divides. I have watched governments emerge and fade. I have seen political structures built and dismantled. I have equally studied the expectations, emotions and aspirations of Abia people over the years.
From this wealth of experience and practical evaluation of Abia politics, one fact has remained consistently clear: for APC to genuinely position itself for victory in 2027, the party must present a candidate with political maturity, administrative experience, emotional stability, credibility and the capacity to unite various interests within and outside the party.
Without hesitation, I strongly believe that Chief Henry Ikechukwu Ikoh perfectly fits into this critical expectation.
Chief Ikoh represents a rare blend of humility, experience, consistency and strategic political understanding. In a political environment often dominated by controversies, unnecessary bitterness and divisive tendencies, he has remained calm, focused, approachable and remarkably stable. These qualities may appear ordinary to some people, but in practical governance and political management, they are indispensable virtues that sustain leadership and build confidence among the electorate.
One of the strongest assets Chief Ikoh possesses is his maturity and ability to relate across political, ethnic and social lines. Politics in Abia today requires a leader who can build bridges rather than walls; a leader who understands that governance succeeds better when stakeholders are respected and united under a common vision. Chief Ikoh has demonstrated this quality over the years through his interactions with people across party affiliations and communities.
Beyond his personal qualities, Chief Henry Ikechukwu Ikoh possesses extensive experience in public service and political administration. Leadership is not learned overnight. It is developed through years of service, sacrifice, strategic engagement and practical exposure. Abia State at this moment requires a leader who understands governance, appreciates political realities and possesses the administrative competence to navigate the challenges confronting our people.
Another important factor that distinguishes Chief Ikoh is his consistency of purpose. His aspiration to govern Abia State is not a sudden ambition driven by opportunism or political convenience. Since 2003, he has remained steadfast, focused and committed to his vision for the state. Such consistency speaks volumes about conviction, preparedness and genuine passion for service.
In politics, consistency builds trust. It reassures the people that a leader is not merely pursuing personal ambition but is driven by a long-term vision and commitment to societal development. This is one quality many Abians have come to appreciate in Chief Ikoh.
Furthermore, APC as a party must begin to prioritize electability and acceptability ahead of internal sentiments. Elections are won not merely through slogans, but through strategic calculations, grassroots acceptance and broad-based support. The reality before us is that the people of Abia are yearning for a leadership that is calm, responsible, inclusive and development-oriented. They desire a leader who can listen, unite and inspire confidence across different sectors of society.
Chief Henry Ikechukwu Ikoh possesses these qualities in abundance.
His calm disposition, amiable personality and infectious ebullience naturally attract people to him. He is not known for needless controversies or divisive politics. Rather, he embodies the spirit of maturity and responsible engagement that APC needs to expand its acceptance across Abia State.
The journey toward 2027 should therefore not be approached with bitterness, selfish calculations or divisive tendencies. It should be approached with sincerity, wisdom and genuine concern for the future of Abia State and the success of our great party.
There comes a moment in the life of every people when destiny presents an opportunity that must not be ignored. I strongly believe that moment has come for APC in Abia State.
Indeed, as the Holy Scripture declares, “The time to favour Zion, yea, the set time, has come.” For Abia State, this is the maturity of time to embrace tested experience, political maturity and purposeful leadership.
With deep sense of responsibility and commitment to the progress of our state, I most respectfully appeal to APC stakeholders, leaders and delegates to rally behind Chief Henry Ikechukwu Ikoh and support the vision of IKOH NDI ABIA 2027.
This is not merely about an individual ambition; it is about giving APC the strongest opportunity to win the governorship election and provide purposeful leadership for the good people of Abia State.
The task before us is collective. The future is now. And the time is ripe for a leader with capacity, humility, experience and vision.
THE SET TIME IS NOW!
Aaron Mike Odeh, A Public Affairs Analyst, Media Consultant, Human and Community development advocate wrote from Post Army Housing Estate Kurudu Abuja
*Admits he received money for ‘prayers’
A Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday, viewed a video- recorded statement by Sheikh Sani Abdulkadir, the sixth defendant in the ongoing trial of persons accused of conspiring to overthrow the government of President Bola Tinubu.
In the recording, the Sheikh, who admitted receiving money to pray for the success of the operation, however, claimed that he warned the alleged plotters that their plan was doomed and that they would be sabotaged from within.
The video recording was played during the continuation of trial proceedings, with the fourth prosecution witness (PW4) still in the witness box.
In the recording, Abdulkadir, an Islamic cleric, said he had known the alleged ringleader, Colonel Maaji, for less than a year and was approached through an intermediary identified as Sanda to offer spiritual support for the plot.
He told investigators that Sanda informed him that his “Oga” intended to stage a coup and needed prayers regarding its likely success. After conducting the prayers, Abdulkadir said he advised them the operation would fail and that two persons would eventually expose those involved.
A subsequent request was relayed back to him, he said, asking for further prayers to prevent those two individuals from speaking out. Money was later transferred to him for prayers and charity, and names of alleged participants were forwarded for inclusion.
Abdulkadir said he first learnt of the arrests through media reports, after Sanda had informed him that Colonel Maaji had been unreachable for four days. He maintained throughout the recording that the funds he received were strictly for prayers and not in support of any coup attempt.
He also acknowledged understanding that a coup meant a military overthrow of government but said he did not report the plot because he did not know who to report to.
The cleric said his arrest came after he visited the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to resolve restrictions placed on his bank account.
Upon contacting an EFCC deputy director, he was invited to the commission’s office to explain the source of the funds. He denied making any coup-related statement while in EFCC custody and stated that he was neither assaulted nor tortured, and that all his statements were made voluntarily.
Following the playback, the prosecution sought to tender extra-judicial statements made by all six defendants before a Special Investigation Panel and military police authorities.
However, defence lawyers of all six defendants objected, arguing the statements were either involuntarily obtained or made in violation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).
Their objections include failure to inform defendants of their right to legal representation; alleged discrepancies between video recordings and corresponding written statements; allegations of coercion, inducement and torture; and claims that the footage did not adequately establish the physical condition of defendants during recording.
Counsel to the fifth defendant further argued that, given the number of accused persons, the court should conduct separate trial-within-trial proceedings for each disputed statement rather than a combined exercise.
Responding, the prosecution urged the court to dismiss the objections, maintaining that the law does not mandate separate proceedings for each defendant and that the trial judge holds discretion over how evidence is received.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik ruled in favour of a single joint trial-within-trial to determine the voluntariness and admissibility of all the disputed statements.
The case was then adjourned to May 12.
The media office of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has cautioned opposition political actors against embracing what it described as a self-defeating and intellectually dishonest narrative that insists the 2027 presidential ticket must be zoned exclusively to the South.
In a statement issued on Monday in Abuja, signed by Olusola Sanni, media aide to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the camp said while the ruling APC may understandably retain its southern presidential configuration around incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, it would amount to political naivety for the opposition to adopt the same logic without a sober assessment of electoral realities.
The statement noted that politics must be driven by strategy, coalition-building, and hard electoral arithmetic—not emotional talking points or selective moral arguments.
“The first and most obvious question is this: how does a Southern opposition candidate realistically unseat a sitting Southern president? Nigerian political history offers no precedent for such an outcome. No incumbent president has ever been defeated by an opposition challenger from the same geopolitical bloc. To insist otherwise is to enter the contest already defeated,” the statement said.
The Atiku camp further argued that the moral argument being advanced in favour of southern zoning collapses under scrutiny.
“By 2027, the South would have held presidential power for approximately 18 years in the Fourth Republic, compared to about 10 years for the North. If the South retains power for another four years, that disparity widens even further. It therefore becomes difficult to understand the justice in an argument that seeks to deepen an already existing imbalance under the guise of equity,” the statement added.
The statement also accused some political actors of selective memory and opportunism, particularly those who abandoned the zoning principle in 2011 following the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, only to now present it as a sacred political doctrine.
“It is intellectually dishonest for those who enthusiastically supported a Southern presidency under Goodluck Jonathan in 2011, despite the North’s legitimate expectation under the informal zoning arrangement, to now suddenly posture as custodians of rotational justice. Principles do not become sacred only when they align with personal ambition.”
While affirming that the Southeast’s aspiration to produce a president remains legitimate and deserving of serious national engagement, the statement warned against reducing that aspiration to what it called “transactional political bargaining.”
“The Southeast deserves a sustainable and credible pathway to national leadership—not symbolic tokenism or bespoke arrangements tailored to satisfy one individual’s ambition,” it stated.
The statement concluded by urging the opposition to focus on building a credible national coalition capable of defeating the incumbent rather than embracing narratives that may inadvertently strengthen President Tinubu’s re-election prospects.
“Defeating an incumbent president requires realism, not romanticism; strategy, not sentiment; honesty, not selective memory. The opposition must decide whether its goal is to make an emotional statement or to actually win power.”
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