EXCLUSIVE: Questions Raised Over Evidence In Alleged Plot To Oust Tinubu As Nearly 40 Vehicles Reportedly Seized, Fewer Than 12 Presented

The discrepancy has raised questions about the number of vehicles actually recovered during the investigation and the role the vehicles allegedly played in the planned operation.

Questions are being raised over the evidence presented in the ongoing trial of military officers accused of plotting to overthrow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, following a discrepancy between the number of vehicles initially reported to have been seized and those subsequently presented as exhibits.

Top security sources told SaharaReporters that while initial reports indicated that nearly 40 vehicles had been seized in connection with the alleged coup plot, fewer than 12 vehicles were ultimately presented as evidence in the proceedings.

The discrepancy has raised questions about the number of vehicles actually recovered during the investigation and the role the vehicles allegedly played in the planned operation.

According to one of the security sources, the alleged plotters had planned a coordinated takeover of several strategic government and military locations, including the Presidential Villa, Radio House, the residences of service chiefs, military barracks and other military quarters.

The source said the alleged operation was intended to involve the occupation of key strategic locations and the disruption of the normal functioning of government.

However, the alleged plot was said to have been uncovered and halted about two weeks before its planned execution.

The source said the vehicles were among the logistical items investigators linked to the operation.

But the difference between the number of vehicles reportedly seized and the smaller number presented before the military court has become a significant point of interest in assessing the prosecution’s account of the alleged plot.

Initial reports had put the number of vehicles recovered at almost 40. PREMIUM TIMES previously reported that investigators had recovered vehicles, alongside other items, during the probe into the alleged plot.

Further reporting in August 2026 also detailed allegations that one of the officers at the centre of the investigation purchased six vehicles worth about ₦65 million during the period investigators considered critical to the alleged preparations.

The Federal Government is prosecuting six people before the Federal High Court in Abuja, while serving military personnel are facing proceedings before a General Court Martial.

The military has previously alleged that the suspected conspirators identified strategic locations for the proposed takeover.

Reporting based on investigation records said the alleged targets included the Presidential Villa, military formations, residences of senior military commanders and Radio House, as well as other strategic facilities.

Sources told SaharaReporters that the plausibility and details of the broader account remain difficult for members of the public to independently assess because the General Court Martial proceedings have been conducted behind closed doors.

The military inaugurated the General Court Martial in April to try 36 personnel over their alleged involvement in the purported plot to overthrow the Tinubu administration.

Journalists were denied access to the proceedings, with security personnel also restricting the use of mobile phones at the venue.

The closed nature of the proceedings means that reporters and members of the public have had limited opportunity to independently examine the exhibits being relied upon by the prosecution or hear the full arguments surrounding their relevance to the alleged plot.

This has inevitably left questions about the evidence and the prosecution’s narrative that can only be fully resolved through the proceedings and the eventual decisions of the court.

The alleged coup plot first became public following the arrest of serving and retired military officers in late September 2025, as previously reported by SaharaReporters.

The Defence Headquarters initially described the arrests as relating to military discipline before subsequently acknowledging that the officers were being investigated over an alleged coup plot.

The military later established the General Court Martial, while a separate Federal High Court case was brought against six alleged conspirators. Defendants in the civilian court proceedings have denied wrongdoing, while some have challenged the admissibility of statements and other evidence tendered by the prosecution.

The alleged plot has been described by investigators as involving plans to seize strategic government and military facilities and establish control over key communication points.

The General Court Martial is scheduled to rule on issues arising from the trial-within-a-trial on October 5, 2026, after the ruling was postponed for the fourth time from September 30.

The proceedings are being held at the Scorpion Officers’ Mess in Asokoro, Abuja.