'After praying for coup plotters, I told them coup will fail' -Islamic cleric says

Sheikh Sani Abdulkadir told investigators that he warned alleged coup plotters that the plan would fail and that they would eventually be exposed. This statement was part of a video recording watched by a Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday. The video was played during the continuation of trial with the fourth prosecution witness, identified as PW4, still in the witness box.

In the recording, Abdulkadir, who described himself as an Islamic cleric, said he knew the alleged ringleader, one Colonel Ma'aji, for less than a year. He was approached through a man identified as Sanda for prayers concerning the alleged coup plot. Sanda informed him that his "oga" intended to stage a coup and needed spiritual prayers and divination regarding its success. Abdulkadir told investigators that after conducting prayers, he informed them the operation would fail and that two persons would eventually betray those involved. He said a message was later relayed back to him through Sanda requesting further prayers so that the two individuals would not betray the group.

The defendant stated that money was subsequently sent to him for prayers and charity, while names of individuals allegedly involved in the plot were also forwarded to him for inclusion in the prayers. Shortly after the prayers commenced, Sanda informed him that Colonel Ma'aji had not been seen for four days. Abdulkadir later learnt through media reports that arrests had been made over an alleged coup plot. In the video, Abdulkadir maintained that the funds transferred to him were not payments for supporting a coup but were meant for prayers.