Nollywood Filmmaker Stanley Amandi Detained Over Alleged Coup Plot Against President Tinubu
Nollywood filmmaker and actor Stanley Amandi has been identified as a key figure in an alleged military plot to terminate Nigeria’s democracy and overthrow President Bola Tinubu. Amandi, a former chairman of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (Enugu State chapter), was reportedly arrested in September 2025 as part of a sweeping intelligence operation.
Investigations suggest that the filmmaker was recruited to serve as a propagandist for a group of alleged coupists who planned to assassinate the President, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and other top government leaders. Amandi is well-known in the film industry for his work on projects like “The Album,” “Tiger King,” and the 2024 film “Once Upon a Dream.”
His arrest is part of a broader crackdown that includes at least 35 military officers and a police inspector, Ahmed Ibrahim, who are currently in the custody of the Defence Intelligence Agency. The detained officers range from a Brigadier General to non-commissioned personnel, with the majority of those implicated originating from the northern part of the country.
“The findings have identified a number of the officers with allegations of plotting to overthrow the government which is inconsistent with the ethics, values and professional standards required of members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria,” stated Major General Samaila Uba, spokesperson for the Defence Headquarters.
The case has been marked by controversy, as the military initially dismissed reports of a coup plot as mere “indiscipline” before formally acknowledging the gravity of the charges this week. Reports have also emerged regarding the deteriorating health of several detainees, with at least five officers said to have fallen ill in poorly ventilated underground cells.
Families of the accused have raised alarms over being barred from visiting their loved ones and have called for an end to what they describe as inhumane treatment and incommunicado detention. The investigation even reached the highest political circles, with military operatives recently searching the residence of former Petroleum Minister Timipre Sylva in connection with the probe.
As the Defence Headquarters prepares to arraign the suspects before a military judicial panel, the nation remains on edge over the details of the foiled attempt. If convicted of treason or plotting a coup, the military officers involved could face the death penalty under Nigerian service laws.
