Nupe360

He said Sanda informed him that his “Oga” intended to stage a coup and needed prayers regarding its likely success.

After conducting the prayers, Abdulkadir said he told them the operation would fail as two persons would eventually expose those involved.

He said the suspects, however, sent him another request asking for further prayers to prevent the two individuals from speaking out.

Zagazola reported that money was later transferred to the cleric for prayers and charity, while names of alleged participants were forwarded for inclusion.

Abdulkadir said he first learnt of the arrests through media reports after Sanda informed him that Maaji had been unreachable for four days.

He said the funds received were strictly for prayers and not in support of any coup attempt.

The cleric also acknowledged that he understood a coup meant a military overthrow of government but said he did not report the plot because he did not know whom to report to.