ABUJA — A Federal High Court in Abuja was gripped by a high-stakes legal drama on Monday as prosecutors played a recorded confession of an Islamic cleric, Sheikh Sani Abdulkadir, who admitted to offering prayers for a group of alleged coup plotters while simultaneously predicting their downfall.
The video, presented as a key piece of evidence in the ongoing treason trial against six defendants, captures the Sheikh explaining his role as a “spiritual consultant” to a group allegedly planning to overthrow the current administration.
The Prophecy of Betrayal
In the footage, Abdulkadir detailed a series of clandestine meetings where he was asked to provide “divine coverage” for a military takeover. The cleric admitted that he initially prayed for the success of the mission as requested by the conspirators, but claimed he delivered a chilling warning to them immediately after his intercession.
“I offered the prayers, but I told them clearly: this coup will not succeed,” the cleric stated in the video. “I saw in my prayers that two people among you will betray this mission. You are walking into a trap.”
₦10 Million for ‘Charity and Prayers’
Under interrogation, the cleric admitted to receiving over ₦10 million from the group. He defended the payment, asserting that the money was intended for “spiritual services, alms-giving, and charity” rather than the direct purchase of arms or logistics for a rebellion.
According to the confession, when the plotters became paranoid about his prophecy, they sent additional funds and a list of names, specifically requesting further prayers to “bind” the potential informants within their ranks to ensure they remained silent.
‘I Didn’t Know Who to Tell’
When questioned by investigators on why he failed to alert the authorities after being consulted for spiritual support, Abdulkadir claimed he was paralyzed by the sensitivity of the information. “I knew a coup was a crime, but I did not know who to report it to without becoming a target myself,” he told the officers.
The Sheikh’s arrest was triggered by a red flag on his bank account, which led him to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) offices, where he was subsequently detained.
The Defense Objects
The trial, which involves a retired Major-General and a Navy Captain, has been stalled by fierce objections from the defense team. Lawyers for the cleric argued that the “confession” was obtained under duress and should be struck out as evidence.
The presiding judge has adjourned the case to determine the voluntariness of the statement, even as the video continues to spark intense debate over the intersection of religion and national security in Nigeria.
