Veteran Nollywood actor and filmmaker Stanley Amandi has been named in investigation records linked to an alleged plot to overthrow the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, according to documents reportedly tendered as part of ongoing coup-related prosecutions.
The records, cited by Premium Times, alleged that Amandi was assigned the responsibility of coordinating propaganda, social media campaigns and public celebrations across Nigeria’s South-East if the planned military takeover succeeded.
The former Chairman of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) in Enugu State reportedly gave investigators a detailed account of how his friendship with a serving soldier evolved into meetings where an alleged plan to remove the government through unconstitutional means was discussed.
His statement is said to form part of the prosecution’s evidence in separate proceedings before the General Court Martial and the Federal High Court in Abuja.
However, the allegations against the actor have not been proven in court, and it remains unclear whether he has been formally charged in connection with the case.
Investigation Into Alleged Coup Plot
The investigation reportedly began in September 2025 after security agencies received intelligence about an alleged conspiracy involving serving and retired military personnel, alongside civilians assigned various roles in the purported plot.
Six suspects were later arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja on a 13-count charge bordering on treason, terrorism, money laundering and failure to disclose information, while serving military officers linked to the case are being tried separately before a General Court Martial.
Investigators alleged that while some members of the network handled logistics, strategy and financing, others were expected to influence public opinion and build legitimacy for a proposed new government.
The alleged plot also reportedly identified senior government officials, including Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, service chiefs and senior Guards Brigade commanders, as targets.
How Friendship With Soldier Allegedly Began
In his statement, Amandi reportedly said he first met a soldier identified as Warrant Officer Nas during a filmmakers’ gathering at Newberries Park, National Museum, Enugu.
According to the actor, the soldier approached him for a photograph after he addressed aspiring filmmakers, and the encounter gradually developed into a friendship.
Amandi said Nas frequently invited him to a military barracks in Enugu, where he became acquainted with several soldiers while attending recreational activities, including football, badminton and table tennis.
He reportedly stated that the barracks eventually became a familiar environment for him.
Ramadan Gathering in Abuja
The actor further claimed that Nas later invited him to a Ramadan breaking-of-fast event hosted in Abuja by a senior military officer identified as Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji.
Although he initially declined due to film production commitments, Amandi said he later accepted after receiving a personal invitation from the officer.
He alleged that after the Ramadan gathering, he accompanied Nas and other participants to another hotel, where discussions allegedly shifted to Nigeria’s economic hardship, insecurity, inflation and dissatisfaction with the government.
According to Amandi, the conversation eventually turned to plans for a possible change of government through military intervention.
Alleged South-East Mobilisation Role
Amandi claimed investigators were told that he was asked to coordinate public mobilisation across the five South-East states if the alleged takeover succeeded.
The proposed assignment reportedly included organising public celebrations to project widespread support for the new administration and recruiting social media influencers to promote favourable narratives online.
He said he was instructed to prepare a detailed proposal outlining how the mobilisation would be carried out, including projected costs.
When discussions reportedly shifted to appointments under the proposed administration, Amandi said he declined suggestions that he should accept any political office.
₦50 Million Budget Proposal
The actor also claimed that after returning to Enugu, discussions continued regarding the mobilisation strategy.
According to his statement, he expressed concerns about the difficulty of mobilising residents in the South-East, but a budget of about ₦50 million was nevertheless prepared to fund logistics, public celebrations, supporter mobilisation and media campaigns.
Amandi further admitted receiving ₦100,000, which he said was sent to him as appreciation for attending the Abuja meeting after he provided his bank account details.
He maintained that he attended no further meetings but remained in contact with Nas and occasionally forwarded social media content he believed would interest members of the group.
Arrest and Court Proceedings
Security operatives arrested Amandi at his residence on November 11, 2025.
During interrogation, he reportedly said he had considered informing authorities about the discussions but feared for his life after allegedly receiving subtle warnings that anyone who leaked information about the plot would be eliminated.
Meanwhile, defendants already standing trial before the Federal High Court and the General Court Martial have denied all allegations.
They have also challenged the admissibility of statements obtained during military interrogation, arguing that due process was not followed.
The prosecution has urged the court to dismiss the objections, while the trial judge is yet to rule on the admissibility of the disputed statements.
