Nollywood actor and filmmaker, Stanley Amandi, was arrested alongside military personnel accused of plotting a violent overthrow of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
According to Premium Times, Amandi, a director and former chairperson of the Enugu State Chapter of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, was taken into custody in September 2025.
This marks the first public disclosure of the actor’s alleged involvement in the reported coup attempt.
It was gathered that Amandi was recruited to serve as a propagandist by the suspected coup plotters, who reportedly aimed to assassinate top government officials last year.
Sources familiar with the case said the officers had allegedly planned a violent takeover targeting President 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 confirmed the plot to illegally unseat the Tinubu administration, adding that the implicated officers would face military judicial panels.
In a statement, the Defence Headquarters said the investigation had been “completed and forwarded to appropriate superior authority in line with extant regulations.”
The military described the probe as “comprehensive” and conducted in line with established procedures, reviewing “all circumstances surrounding the conduct of the affected personnel.”
Findings reportedly revealed “a number of the officers with allegations of plotting to overthrow the government,” behavior the military described as “inconsistent with the ethics, values and professional standards required of members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.”
Initial Arrests and Alleged Cover-Up
Last October, reports indicated that 16 officers were under investigation for a suspected coup, though the army initially stated they were being investigated for “indiscipline and breach of service regulations.”
Further investigations reportedly led to the arrest of additional officers and civilians linked to the plot.
Sources familiar with the matter said the suspects, including senior military officers, are expected to face trials in both civil and military courts.
Military personnel will first appear before court-martials, while civilians implicated, including Amandi, will face civil proceedings.
About Stanley Amandi
Amandi is recognized for his work as an actor, director, and production manager, with credits in several Nollywood films. His notable projects include “The Album” (director), “Tiger King” (director and producer, 2008), “Cornerstone” (producer, 2019), and “Once Upon a Dream” (actor, 2024).
His last Instagram post was made on 19 September 2025, just before his arrest.
