A video recording of the alleged confession of Sheikh Sani Abdulkadir, the sixth defendant in the trial of a suspected coup plot against President Bola Tinubu's government, was played in Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday. In the footage, Abdulkadir, an Islamic cleric, told investigators he was approached by a man named Sanda, who said his boss, identified as Colonel Ma'aji, planned to stage a coup and sought spiritual guidance on its success. Abdulkadir stated he conducted prayers and informed Sanda the plan would fail and that two people would betray the group. He added that Sanda later returned requesting additional prayers to prevent the betrayal, and that money was sent to him for prayers and charity, along with names of individuals allegedly involved in the plot. The video was presented during the continuation of the trial, with the fourth prosecution witness, referred to as PW4, still in the witness box. Abdulkadir claimed he had known Colonel Ma'aji for less than a year and was introduced to him through Sanda. The court heard that the defendant did not report the alleged plan to authorities. Proceedings continue as the prosecution builds its case.
Sheikh Sani Abdulkadir prayed for a coup plotters' success while predicting its failure, then accepted money to prevent betrayal by two members. He claims he warned the plot would collapse but did not alert security agencies. Spiritual involvement in state subversion raises questions about accountability lines for clerics in national security matters. The trial may test whether religious counsel can be complicit in treason by association.
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