BREAKING: Nollywood Actor Stanley Amandi Arrested Over Alleged Role in Coup Plot Against Tinubu Administration
Nollywood filmmaker and actor Stanley Amandi has been arrested in connection with an alleged plot to illegally remove President Bola Tinubu’s administration, according to reports.
Mr Amandi, a director and former chairperson of the Enugu State chapter of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, was reportedly taken into custody in September 2025 alongside several military officers accused of planning a violent takeover of government.
This is the first time the actor’s alleged involvement has been publicly disclosed. Investigations by PREMIUM TIMES indicate that Mr Amandi was allegedly engaged by the suspected plotters to serve as a propagandist, supporting the plan through non-combat roles rather than direct military action.
Security sources familiar with the investigation said the alleged plot involved plans to assassinate senior government officials, including President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas. Authorities say these allegations remain under judicial review.
On Monday, Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters confirmed that investigations into an attempt to unlawfully oust the Tinubu administration had been concluded. In a statement, the military said the findings had been forwarded to “appropriate superior authority in line with extant regulations.”
The Defence Headquarters described the probe as comprehensive, noting that it examined all circumstances surrounding the conduct of the accused personnel. The statement added that several officers were identified with allegations of actions “inconsistent with the ethics, values and professional standards required of members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.”
In October 2025, PREMIUM TIMES had earlier reported that at least 16 officers were under investigation, though the army at the time described the matter as issues of indiscipline and breaches of service regulations. Subsequent inquiries reportedly led to the arrest of additional officers and civilians.
Sources close to the case say military suspects will first face court martial proceedings, with possible civil trials to follow. Civilians implicated in the alleged plot, including Mr Amandi, are expected to be tried in regular civil courts.
Mr Amandi is known within the Nigerian film industry as an actor, director and production manager. His body of work includes directing The Album, producing and directing Tiger King in 2008, producing Cornerstone in 2019, and acting in Once Upon a Dream released in 2024.
His last known Instagram activity was on 19 September 2025, shortly before his reported arrest.
