EXCLUSIVE(SAHARA REPORTERS): Retired General Interrogated Over Alleged Coup Plot Against Tinubu Denies Involvement, Explains N2Million Transfer

A retired Nigerian Army Major General, Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, has strongly denied any involvement in an alleged coup plot against President Bola Tinubu, insisting that he was unaware of any plans and was only caught in the controversy due to routine communications with a former military colleague. The former senior officer made the remarks during a detailed interrogation by a multi-agency investigative panel probing an alleged conspiracy involving serving and retired military personnel and civilians. Investigators alleged that his name appeared on a financial distribution list linked to suspected coup financing, including a reported ₦2 million transfer. The retired general acknowledged receiving the money but insisted it was unrelated to any illegal activity. Last Wednesday, the Nigerian Army told the Federal High Court in Abuja that it uncovered what it described as a credible and elaborate plot to overthrow the administration of President Tinubu through a coup d’état, detailing allegations of planned assassinations, covert meetings, and suspicious financial transactions running into hundreds of millions of naira. Testifying before the court, a masked operative of the Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police (NACMP), identified only as “AAA,” revealed that the military launched an extensive investigation after receiving intelligence that a network of serving and retired security personnel, alongside civilians, were conspiring to violently topple the democratically elected government. 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 in suit number FHC/ABJ/CR/206/2026. Those standing trial include retired Major General Gana; retired Naval Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor; serving Police Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim; and three civilians, identified as Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani. Meanwhile, former Bayelsa State Governor and ex-Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, was also named in the charge. Prosecutors told the court he was at large, having allegedly fled Nigeria before the plot was exposed. However, during his interrogation in videos obtained by SaharaReporters, Gana told investigators he had lived a quiet life since retiring from the Nigerian Army in 2010 after 35 years of service, where he last served as Chief of Defence Logistics. “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,” he said. “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.” Relationship with Colonel MA Ma’aji Thirty-six military officers, including Col. Ma’aji, also face trial by court martial. The court-martial, constituted by the Defence Headquarters, was inaugurated under heavy security at the Scorpion Mess in Asokoro, Abuja. The retired general explained that his relationship with Colonel Ma’aji dated back to his time at the Nigerian Defence Academy, later becoming more professional during his service years. He said their post-retirement relationship involved limited business and social interactions, including a company reportedly linked to Majid. “I accepted, although I did not play a very active role in the company.” He also acknowledged receiving financial assistance from Ma’aji on several occasions, including support during personal and family challenges. “I told him I was broke and he transferred some money. He sent me N2 million,” he said. “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.” Allegations of WhatsApp Messages and Coup-Related Content A major focus of the investigation was alleged WhatsApp communications between the retired general and Colonel Ma’aji, which investigators claimed included politically sensitive and coup-related materials. The former officer, however, insisted 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 times, I don’t even read these messages,” he said. He maintained that the materials were already circulating online and not originally created by him. “Whatever I receive, I just forward it as it is. I did not originate those things.” Allegation of Coup Speech and Funding List Investigators also confronted him with claims that he forwarded historical military speeches, including an alleged coup speech attributed to Brigadier General Joshua Dogonyaro following the 1985 military takeover of the Muhammadu Buhari regime. Denial of Intent or Knowledge Throughout the interrogation, the retired general repeatedly denied any 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 also insisted that his experience in the military made him believe such plots would not be allowed to progress undetected. “Since I joined the army in the 70s, any officer suspected of coup plotting is taken out immediately,” he said. Criticism of Alleged Misinterpretation He further argued that sharing messages should not automatically be interpreted as ideological alignment. “Let’s talk about issues like bisexual relationships, gay and lesbian matters. Sharing such content can mean either support or disapproval. But consistency matters,” he said. “As for me, those things I sent were not frequent. What I’m trying to say is that I could send you other types of content as well.” “I don’t think I attached any meaning to it,” he added. He also rejected suggestions that his communications showed support for military rule or anti-government sentiment. “No. I don’t support military leadership. I believe that era has passed,” he said. Emotional Defence and Institutional Criticism The retired officer expressed frustration over how the allegations were handled, insisting he was being unfairly associated with 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 partially criticised institutional failures, suggesting that proper handling of earlier suspicions might have prevented the escalation. “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 and reiterating that he had no knowledge of any coup-related plans. “I never discussed such matters with him. Never.”