Nollywood Filmmaker’s Shocking Coup Plot Role

Nigerian authorities have exposed a chilling conspiracy involving Nollywood filmmaker Stanley Amandi, who was lured into a plot to topple President Bola Tinubu’s government. Detained since September 2025 alongside rogue military officers, Amandi believed he was joining a patriotic effort to tackle the nation’s crises. 

Deception and Recruitment Tactics

Plot leaders, including Brigadier General Musa Abubakar Sadiq and Colonel M.A. Ma’aji, approached Amandi by appealing to his stature as a former Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) Enugu chapter chairman and director of films like Tiger King (2008), Cornerstone (2019), and Once Upon a Dream (2024). They painted a dire picture of insecurity, economic hardship, and poor governance, convincing him his media savvy could rally public support for urgent reforms. Promises of personal security and a key position in a post-coup administration sealed his buy-in, turning his platform into a propaganda tool. 

Amandi’s last Instagram post on September 19, 2025, came just days before his arrest, marking the end of his public activity. Investigators say he was tasked with crafting narratives to legitimize the scheme, a rare civilian role in what was primarily a military intrigue spanning Army, Navy, and Air Force personnel. 

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Plot’s Violent Scope

The group allegedly planned assassinations of top leaders: President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas. This violent blueprint aimed at a sudden power seizure, with Amandi enlisted to manipulate media and sway opinion ahead of the strike. A policeman, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim from Taraba State, was also nabbed in related probes, highlighting the plot’s broadening net. 

Official Response and Legal Path

On Monday, the Defence Headquarters publicly confirmed the “unlawful conduct” after a comprehensive investigation, submitting findings to superior authorities. Implicated officers face military trials for breaching armed forces ethics, while civilians like Amandi head to regular courts, signaling zero tolerance for subversion. 

AGN sources verified Amandi’s status, sparking heated online debates about entertainers dabbling in politics. Earlier denials from military spokespeople gave way to this admission, underscoring the probe’s depth by the Defence Intelligence Agency.