A Nigerian Army officer, Lt. Col. Shamsuddeen Bappah, has told investigators that despite earlier involvement in discussions to overthrow the Tinubu administration, he developed serious doubts about the alleged 2025 coup plot because of concerns over the character and judgement of one of its key suspected masterminds, Col. Mohammed Ma’aji.
According to his extrajudicial statement, Bappah cited Ma’aji’s alleged excessive relationships with women and his reliance on traditional spiritualists and Islamic clerics as major reasons he lost faith in the plan.
The statement forms part of over 7,400 pages of investigation documents compiled for the prosecution of suspects before a military General Court Martial and the Federal High Court in Abuja. The files include suspects’ statements, bank records, and other exhibits.
Bappah, a 41-year-old officer from Bauchi State and member of the Nigerian Defence Academy’s 56 Regular Course, admitted attending several meetings where the alleged plot to violently overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s government was discussed. He also received money from Ma’aji, whom investigators described as a central figure in the conspiracy.
Security agencies launched the probe in September 2025 following intelligence that serving and retired military officers, along with civilians, were planning attacks on President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, and senior military leaders.
Doubts Over Leadership
Bappah, who knew Ma’aji from their days at the NDA, said discussions about changing the government had been ongoing for four to five years. He claimed Ma’aji became more explicit about a military takeover during a meeting at the Command Guest House in Kaduna around 2022 or 2023.
However, his confidence began to erode due to Ma’aji’s personal conduct.
“I started having doubts when I saw his consistency on the issue of carrying women becoming too much, even in Abuja where his wife is,” Bappah reportedly told investigators. “I felt that he’s not being loyal to his family.”
He expressed fears that such relationships could expose the group to blackmail and public embarrassment, questioning whether Ma’aji could successfully lead the country.
Bappah also raised concerns about Ma’aji’s alleged involvement with “diabolic people he calls Malams,” saying he did not believe in such practices.
Naval Officer Also Sceptical
Another suspect, Lt. Cdr Bayawo Abdullahi of the Nigerian Navy, similarly told investigators he lost faith in Ma’aji, describing him as a “joker” after an alleged failure to complete logistics arrangements. Abdullahi admitted regretting not reporting the plot to authorities.
Despite his reservations, Bappah said he was assigned operational roles, including seizing and holding the 102 Battalion in Zuma, Niger State, and preparing a takeover speech for broadcast after the planned coup. He admitted receiving ₦1.5 million for vehicle repairs and another ₦5 million into his Zenith Bank account from Ma’aji.
Bappah acknowledged knowing the discussions were illegal but claimed he did not fully understand the gravity of treason. He said he failed to report the plot because he feared possible retaliation from Ma’aji.
The case continues before the military court and Federal High Court in Abuja.
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