A Nollywood filmmaker and actor, Stanley Amandi, has been arrested in connection with an alleged coup plot aimed at violently overthrowing the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, security sources have revealed.
Mr Amandi, a director and former Chairman of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Enugu State Chapter, was reportedly arrested in September 2025 alongside several military officers accused of planning an illegal takeover of the federal government. This is the first time details of the actor’s alleged involvement have been made public.
According to PREMIUM TIMES, the suspected plotters allegedly recruited Mr Amandi to serve as a propagandist as part of a broader plan that included the assassination of top government officials. Security sources said the alleged coupists marked President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas for elimination.
On Monday, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) confirmed the existence of a plot to illegally remove the Tinubu-led government, stating that investigations into the matter have been concluded. The military disclosed that the case files have been forwarded to the “appropriate superior authority” in line with existing regulations.
In a statement, the DHQ said the probe was “comprehensive” and conducted according to established military procedures, adding that several officers were found to have engaged in conduct “inconsistent with the ethics, values, and professional standards of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.”
In October 2025, PREMIUM TIMES reported that at least 16 military officers were under investigation for coup-related activities, although the army initially described the case as one involving “indiscipline and breach of service regulations.” Subsequent investigations reportedly led to the arrest of additional officers and civilians linked to the alleged plot.
Sources familiar with the case disclosed that implicated military personnel will first face court-martial proceedings, while civilians, including Mr Amandi, are expected to be tried in civil courts.
Stanley Amandi is a well-known figure in the Nigerian film industry, with credits as an actor, director, and production manager. His notable works include The Album (Director), Tiger King (Director/Producer, 2008), Cornerstone (Producer, 2019), and Once Upon a Dream (Actor, 2024).
His last activity on Instagram was recorded on 19 September 2025, just days before his reported arrest.
Investigations into the alleged coup plot continue as security agencies intensify efforts to bring all suspects to justice.
