Popular Nollywood Actor Arrested over Alleged Coup Plot To Overthrow President Tinubu
- Nollywood actor Stanley Amandi was arrested alongside military officers over an alleged coup plot against President Tinubu
- Investigators said the actor was recruited as a propagandist in plans to destabilise the government
- The military confirmed it concluded investigations and prepared the suspects for court martial and civil trials
Nollywood filmmaker and actor Stanley Amandi has been arrested alongside several military officers accused of plotting a violent overthrow of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
This is the first time the alleged involvement of the popular actor in the suspected coup plot has been made public.
Source: UGC
Actor allegedly recruited as propagandist
Amandi, a director and former chairperson of the Enugu state chapter of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, was reportedly recruited by the alleged coup plotters to act as a propagandist.
Sources familiar with the investigation said the suspects planned to use coordinated messaging and influence operations as part of a broader scheme to destabilise the government and legitimise a military takeover.
The plot, according to government sources, allegedly included plans to assassinate top political leaders.
Senior govt officials allegedly marked for assassination
Officials briefed on the investigation disclosed that President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas were among those allegedly marked for elimination during the planned takeover.
“The intention was a violent overthrow of the democratic order, targeting the highest levels of government,” a source familiar with the probe said.
Military confirms investigation and impending trials
On Monday, January 26, the Defence Headquarters confirmed that it had concluded investigations into an alleged plan to illegally oust the Tinubu administration.
In a statement, the military said the investigation had been completed and forwarded to “appropriate superior authority in line with extant regulations”.
According to the Defence Headquarters, the probe was “comprehensive” and carried out in line with established procedures, examining “all circumstances surrounding the conduct of the affected personnel”.
The military added that its findings identified “a number of officers with allegations of plotting to overthrow the government”, describing such actions as “inconsistent with the ethics, values and professional standards required of members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria”.
Initial arrests and alleged attempts to downplay probe
As reported by Premium Times, had earlier reported in October that at least 16 military officers were under investigation, although the army initially described the case as involving “indiscipline and breach of service regulations”.
Source: UGC
Further investigations later led to the arrest of additional officers and civilians linked to the alleged plot, The Cable reported.
Sources said senior military officers implicated would first face court martial proceedings, while civilians involved, including Amandi, are expected to be tried in civil courts.
Profile of the arrested filmmaker
Amandi is a well-known figure in Nollywood, having featured in numerous films and worked as an actor, production manager and director over the years.
Neither the actor nor his legal representatives have publicly responded to the allegations as of the time of filing this report.
Coup: How alleged plot to kill Tinubu was uncovered
Previously, Legit.ng reported that covert intelligence operation coordinated by the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Army Headquarters helped thwart a deadly plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s government and assassinate key political figures.
Multiple senior administration insiders said the plot began to unravel in late September 2025 after an unnamed military officer with direct knowledge of the coup contacted the then Chief of Army Staff, Olufemi Oluyede.
Source: Legit.ng
