Cleric Warns Alleged Coup Plotters of Failure in Court

In a trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja, a cleric named Abdulkadir testified regarding an alleged coup plot against President Bola Tinubu's government. He claimed to have warned the conspirators, including Colonel Ma Aji and an individual identified as Sanda, that their plan would fail.

Abdulkadir stated he was approached by Sanda to conduct spiritual prayers for the coup's success. He informed investigators that he had conducted prayers and sent money to charity in the names of individuals allegedly involved in the plot.

Abdulkadir maintained that the funds were not intended to support the coup but were meant for prayer purposes. He also mentioned that he was unaware of the coup's nature, despite acknowledging that it involved a military overthrow of the government.

The trial included discussions about the admissibility of statements made by the defendants, with multiple lawyers arguing that their clients' statements were not made voluntarily and were obtained under duress.