ABUJA: Sani Abdulkadir, an Islamic cleric standing trial alongside alleged coup plot suspects, has told the court that he warned those behind the purported plot that their mission would fail and that they would eventually be exposed.
Abdulkadir, who described himself as a Zaria-based imam, made the disclosure in a video recording tendered by the prosecution before Federal High Court, presided over by Joyce Abdulmalik, in Abuja.
The cleric is the sixth defendant in the ongoing trial of six individuals accused of involvement in an alleged coup plot. The video presented in court showed an interview session between Abdulkadir and investigators.
In his statement, Abdulkadir said he became aware of the alleged plot after being approached by one Sanda, who was sent by the alleged mastermind, Mohammed Ma’aji, to organise prayers concerning the planned coup.
According to him, Sanda informed him that his superior intended to stage a military takeover and needed spiritual prayers and divination to determine whether the operation would succeed.
The cleric said that after conducting prayers, he informed them that the plot would fail and that two people involved would eventually betray the group.
He added that Sanda later returned to request more prayers to prevent the two individuals from exposing those behind the alleged plan.
Abdulkadir also told investigators that money was sent to him for prayers and charity, while names of persons allegedly involved in the plot were forwarded to him to be included in the prayers.
He insisted that the funds transferred to him were not payments to support a coup but were strictly for religious prayers.
The cleric said he later learnt through media reports that arrests had been made after Sanda informed him that Col. Ma’aji had gone missing for several days.
Explaining why he did not report the alleged plot to security agencies, Abdulkadir said he did not know which authority to approach.
He also said he was arrested after visiting the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to inquire about restrictions placed on his bank account.
At the hearing, prosecuting counsel Rotimi Oyedepo sought to tender written statements and video recordings from the defendants, but defence lawyers objected, arguing that the statements were not made voluntarily.
Following the objections, Justice Abdulmalik ordered a trial-within-trial to determine whether the statements were obtained voluntarily and adjourned the matter for further proceedings.
