New revelations have surfaced linking an Igbo civilian to the alleged coup plot against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, marking the first time an individual of Igbo extraction has been associated with the foiled scheme—despite the fact that none of the principal alleged coup plotters are Igbo.
Investigations by PREMIUM TIMES indicate that Stanley Amandi, a Nollywood filmmaker and actor, was arrested in September 2025 alongside several military officers accused of planning a violent overthrow of the Tinubu administration.
Amandi, a former Chairman of the Enugu State Chapter of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), is the only Igbo individual so far linked to the case, and notably, not as a military conspirator, but as a civilian allegedly recruited for propaganda-related activities.
According to information gathered by PREMIUM TIMES, the alleged coup plot was orchestrated by military officers from other regions, with no Igbo officer or political figure named among those accused of planning or executing the operation.
Security sources familiar with the investigation disclosed that Amandi was allegedly engaged to function as a propagandist, tasked with shaping narratives and public messaging in support of the plotters’ plans.
The alleged conspirators, according to government briefings, planned a violent takeover of government, with top officials reportedly marked for elimination. Those allegedly targeted included President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, among others.
The plot, which authorities say was uncovered before execution, led to the arrest of multiple military officers and civilian collaborators across the country.
Profile of the Arrested Filmmaker
Stanley Amandi is a well-known figure in Nigeria’s film industry, with credits spanning acting, directing, and production management.
His notable works include The Album, which he directed; Tiger King, which he directed and produced in 2008; Cornerstone, produced in 2019; and Once Upon a Dream, in which he appeared as an actor in 2024.
Amandi’s public digital activity ceased shortly before his arrest, with his last Instagram post dated September 19, 2025.
Analysts note that the emergence of an Igbo civilian in the investigation has generated significant public interest, particularly against the backdrop of longstanding national sensitivities around ethnicity and security narratives. They also stress that the core allegations remain centered on non-Igbo military officers, with investigations still ongoing.
Authorities have not yet concluded legal proceedings on the matter, and all individuals linked to the case are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.
