Retired General Denies Involvement In Coup Plot Against Tinubu

A retired Nigerian Army Major General, Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, has denied involvement in an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu.

This Video Is Trending Right Now →

Naija News reports that Gana said he was unaware of any coup plan and was only linked to the matter because of routine communication with a former military colleague.

He made the denial during interrogation by a multi-agency investigative panel probing an alleged conspiracy involving serving and retired military personnel and civilians.

Investigators had alleged that his name appeared on a financial distribution list linked to suspected coup financing, including a reported ₦2 million transfer.

The retired general admitted receiving the money but insisted it had nothing to do with any illegal activity.

Last Wednesday, the Nigerian Army told the Federal High Court in Abuja that it uncovered what it described as a credible plot to overthrow Tinubu’s administration through a coup.

A masked operative of the Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police, identified only as “AAA,” told the court that the military launched an investigation after receiving intelligence about alleged plans by serving and retired security personnel and civilians.

The witness appeared as the fourth prosecution witness in the trial of six defendants facing a 13-count charge bordering on treason, terrorism and money laundering.

Those standing trial include Gana, a retired Naval Captain, Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, a serving police inspector, Ahmed Ibrahim, and three civilians, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni and Abdulkadir Sani.

Former Bayelsa State Governor and ex-Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, was also named in the charge, with prosecutors saying he was at large.

‘I Retired Peacefully’ – Gana

In videos obtained by SaharaReporters, Gana told investigators that he had lived quietly since retiring from the Army in 2010 after 35 years of service.

He said he last served as Chief of Defence Logistics.

Gana said, “I have never been indicted or charged with any offence. I have never been placed under arrest. After 35 years of service, I retired peacefully.

“Since my retirement, I have lived a quiet life, especially in farming, and I maintain that posture. And since my retirement I have not gotten myself in any act of indiscipline or anything that affects majority of my life or my family.”

Thirty-six military officers, including Col. Ma’aji, are also facing trial by court-martial.

The court-martial, constituted by the Defence Headquarters, was inaugurated under heavy security at the Scorpion Mess in Asokoro, Abuja.

Gana said his relationship with Ma’aji dated back to their time at the Nigerian Defence Academy and later became professional during their service years.

He said their post-retirement relationship involved limited business and social interactions, including a company reportedly linked to Ma’aji.

“I accepted, although I did not play a very active role in the company,” he said.

He also admitted receiving financial assistance from Ma’aji, including during personal and family challenges.

“I told him I was broke, and he transferred some money. He sent me ₦2 million.

“That is not the first time he sent me money, even when my wife was on admission just before I lost my wife, he assisted me with some money to pay the bills,” he said.

‘I Forwarded Messages Without Reading’

Investigators also questioned the retired general over alleged WhatsApp communications with Ma’aji, which they claimed contained politically sensitive and coup-related materials.

Gana insisted that he often forwarded messages without reading or attaching meaning to them.

“As for the WhatsApp messages, once he forwards messages to me, sometimes I don’t even read, I forward them as received. Most of the time, I don’t even read these messages,” he said.

He maintained that the materials were already circulating online and were not created by him.

“Whatever I receive, I just forward it as it is. I did not originate those things,” he added.

Investigators also confronted him with claims that he forwarded historical military speeches, including an alleged coup speech attributed to Brigadier General Joshua Dogonyaro after the 1985 military takeover of the Muhammadu Buhari regime.

‘I Don’t Support Military Rule’

Gana repeatedly denied knowledge of coup planning or involvement in any subversive activity.

“I never knew he was planning a coup. I just sent it as any other message,” he said.

He added that his military experience made him believe such plots could not progress undetected.

“Since I joined the army in the 70s, any officer suspected of coup plotting is taken out immediately,” he said.

The retired general also rejected suggestions that forwarding messages amounted to support for military rule or anti-government activities.

“No. I don’t support military leadership. I believe that era has passed,” he said.

Gana expressed frustration over the allegations, insisting that he was being unfairly linked to the case.

“I didn’t originate it. Most of them were already circulating. Why are you so particular about mine, making me a scape goat?” he asked.

He also criticised what he described as institutional failures, saying earlier action could have prevented the matter from escalating.

“I blame him. I also blame the institution because if proper actions had been taken earlier, it might not have escalated to this level,” he said.

The interrogation ended with the retired general maintaining his innocence.

“I never discussed such matters with him. Never,” he said.