Renowned Nigerian actor arrested over alleged coup plot to overthrow Tinubu
Nigerian Nollywood actor and filmmaker Stanley Amandi has been arrested in connection with an alleged military plot to violently overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration, according to reports by Premium Times.
Amandi, a former chairman of the Actors Guild of Nigeria in Enugu State, was arrested in September 2025, but his alleged role in the suspected coup attempt is only now coming to light.
Investigators say Amandi was allegedly recruited by the coup suspects to act as a propagandist, helping promote or support the plot, which reportedly involved plans to assassinate senior government officials.
Sources briefed on the matter said 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.
Military confirms coup investigation
Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters confirmed that officers had been investigated for attempting to remove the government illegally. In a statement, the military said the inquiry was “comprehensive” and had been forwarded to the appropriate authorities in line with existing regulations.
It said the findings identified “a number of officers with allegations of plotting to overthrow the government,” calling such actions inconsistent with the professional ethics of the armed forces.
The accused officers are expected to be arraigned before military judicial panels.
Premium Times first reported in October that at least 16 officers were being investigated, although the army initially described the case as involving “indiscipline and breach of service regulations.”
Since then, more officers and civilians have reportedly been arrested as investigators expanded the probe.
Military suspects are expected to face court-martial proceedings first, while civilians implicated, including Amandi, would be tried in civil courts.
Background to the alleged plot
Sources cited by Premium Times said the plot was allegedly masterminded by a colonel identified as Alhassan Ma’aji. The coup was initially planned for May 29, 2023, during Tinubu’s inauguration, but was reportedly postponed due to funding and logistical challenges. Investigators say the plan was revived in 2025, with claims that former Bayelsa State governor Timipre Sylva helped bankroll the effort through nearly N1 billion transferred in multiple tranches. Sylva was later declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and his home was reportedly raided during investigations.
Stanley Amandi is known in Nollywood as an actor, director and production manager. His works include The Album, Tiger King (2008), Cornerstone (2019), and Once Upon a Dream (2024).
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
