Alleged coup plot: Cleric says N10m transfers were for ‘prayers’

An Islamic cleric on trial over an alleged coup plot has told a Federal High Court that over N10 million traced to his account was received for “prayers and charitable purposes.”

An Islamic cleric, Bukar Kashim Goni, standing trial over an alleged plot to overthrow the administration of Bola Tinubu, has claimed that over N10 million transferred to his bank account was for “prayers and charitable purposes.” Goni is among six defendants being prosecuted before the Federal High Court in Abuja in a case filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.

Other defendants include retired Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, retired Naval Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, and Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, alongside Zekeri Umoru and Abdulkadir Sani. At the resumed proceedings, presided over by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, the court viewed video evidence showing the cleric’s interaction with investigators probing the alleged coup plot.

During the session, Goni denied any involvement in efforts to destabilise the government, maintaining that funds traced to him from the alleged principal suspect, Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji, were strictly for spiritual engagements. He explained that his relationship with the officer was based on religious consultations, stating the funds were for “prayers and charitable purposes,” even as investigators challenged his claims with financial records indicating transactions dating back to March 2023, prior to the issues cited by the officer.

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