A Nollywood filmmaker and actor, Stanley Amandi, has been arrested alongside military officers accused of planning a violent overthrow of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
According to Premium Times, Amandi, a director and former chairman of the Enugu State chapter of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, was arrested in September 2025, marking the first public disclosure of his alleged involvement in the foiled plot.
Investigations revealed that the actor was allegedly recruited by the suspected coup plotters to function as a propagandist, as part of preparations for what security sources described as a violent takeover of government.
Government sources earlier briefed on the matter said the plotters allegedly planned to assassinate top government officials, including President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, among others.
On Monday, the Defence Headquarters officially confirmed that investigations uncovered a plan to illegally oust the Tinubu administration, adding that officers indicted in the matter would be arraigned before military judicial panels.
Story continues below advertisement
In a statement, the military said investigations had been concluded and forwarded to the “appropriate superior authority in line with extant regulations.”
“The comprehensive investigation, conducted in accordance with established military procedures, examined all circumstances surrounding the conduct of the affected personnel,” the statement read.
The Defence Headquarters said findings identified “a number of officers with allegations of plotting to overthrow the government,” describing such conduct as inconsistent with the ethics and professional standards of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
Last October, it was reported that 16 military officers were under investigation for allegedly planning a coup. At the time, the army dismissed the reports, saying the officers were being investigated for “indiscipline and breach of service regulations.”
However, further investigations reportedly led to the arrest of additional officers and civilians, including Amandi.
Sources familiar with the probe said the suspects would face both court-martial proceedings and civil trials, depending on their status.
Story continues below advertisement
While serving military officers are expected to be tried first by military tribunals, civilians implicated in the alleged plot, including the Nollywood actor, are to be prosecuted in civil courts.
Amandi is a known figure in Nollywood, having worked as an actor, production manager and director.
His works include The Album (director), Tiger King (director and producer, 2008), Cornerstone (2019), and Once Upon a Dream (actor, 2024).
Story continues below advertisement
His last post on Instagram was dated September 19, 2025, shortly before his arrest.