Colonel Mohammed Maaji, the alleged leader of a failed plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s government, kept a secret note outlining a three-point agenda for his would-be regime. The note, obtained by PREMIUM TIMES, offers a rare glimpse into the motivations behind the conspiracy that was foiled before the turn of the last quarter of 2024.
The Three-Point Agenda of the Would-Be Regime
Under the heading “Immediate Actions,” Maaji wrote three points covering a full page. The top item was to “Set up a committee to review fuel subsidy removal.” President Tinubu had ended fuel subsidy payments at his inauguration in May 2023, plunging millions into a cost-of-living crisis. The alleged conspirators saw the negative fallout as an opportunity to gain legitimacy.
The second point called for a committee to review salaries and wages of all members of the Armed Forces and other security agencies. The third proposed a committee to recommend all fallen heroes for national awards. The agenda appeared to be in a developmental stage, according to investigators.
Motivational Quotes Driving the Plot
The note also contained up to 20 motivational quotes that investigators believe reflected Maaji’s mindset. One quote read: “Money is the great way to lubricate the wheels of a coup d’état.” Another attributed to Albert Einstein stated: “Try not to become a man of success but a man of value.” Others included “Everything you can imagine is real” and “Never give up on a dream because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass, anyway.”
Investigators recovered the note from Maaji’s residence and subjected it to forensic examination by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The forensic report was submitted to the Defence Headquarters. In his handwritten extrajudicial statement, Maaji admitted ownership and said he wrote the “action plans” preparatory to taking over government.
Maaji’s Rationale: Military Welfare and Frustration
Maaji cited deplorable conditions of soldiers and officers as a major motivation. In his statement, he claimed: “If you interact with officers and soldiers, 80 per cent are disgruntled already. And it was a voluntary thing. Nobody was coerced.” He added that after sharing the plan, “there were none who drew back.” The desire for change, he wrote, was “genuine.”
Serving personnel have long argued that salaries do not reflect the risks of military service. Families of soldiers killed in action have also demanded better welfare. Although the government has approved periodic increases, many maintain interventions have not kept pace with the rising cost of living.
The Planning and Code Words of the Conspiracy
The alleged conspirators used agricultural lexicons in secret conversations. They referred to themselves as “farmers,” codenamed the movement “farming,” used “fertilisers” for logistics, “harvest” for execution day, “digital farming” for operations, and “technical partners” for clerics approached for prayers.
No specific date was fixed before arrests. Suspect Ilyasu Jamilu, a major, told investigators that while September 27, October 1, and October 4 were discussed, a final date was not set. Another suspect, Abdulkarim Ibrahim, a major, said they proposed launching between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m., consistent with previous military takeovers.
Arrests and Legal Proceedings
Maaji and over 40 suspects, including senior military officers, police personnel, and civilians, were arrested between September and October 2024. Thirty-six serving military officers are facing a General Court Martial in Abuja. Six other alleged conspirators are standing trial before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja on 13 criminal charges.
The defendants have objected to the admissibility of their extra-judicial statements and video exhibits, alleging that the means of collection violated safeguards under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act. The prosecution has urged the court to dismiss the objection and admit the exhibits as evidence.
