Nigeria Army Witness Says Coup Plot Defendants' Statements Voluntary

A Federal High Court in Abuja heard testimony from an officer of the Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police regarding six men charged with an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu's administration. The witness asserted that the defendants’ confessional statements were given voluntarily, that they were informed of their constitutional rights, and that no coercion, intimidation or denial of legal representation occurred. Video recordings and written statements were admitted as exhibits after the defence raised no objection during the trial‑within‑trial.

The witness clarified that he was not a member of the Special Investigative Panel but participated intermittently, and noted that an interpreter was provided for the sixth defendant, an Islamic cleric. The court, presided over by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, adjourned the proceeding to May 13 for continuation of the trial‑within‑trial.