Veteran Nollywood actor and filmmaker, Stanley Amandi, has been arrested by the Nigerian military over his alleged involvement in a foiled coup plot aimed at overthrowing President Bola Tinubu’s administration, according to an exclusive report.
Amandi, a former chairman of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Enugu State chapter, was reportedly taken into custody in September 2025 alongside several serving military officers accused of planning an illegal and violent takeover of government.
Sources familiar with the investigation said the plot allegedly included plans for coordinated assassinations of top government officials.
Those reportedly listed as targets in the alleged plot included President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, and other senior officials.
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) on Monday confirmed the existence of a plot to unlawfully remove the current administration, stating that officers implicated in the scheme would be arraigned before appropriate military judicial panels.
In a statement, the DHQ said investigations into the matter had been concluded and the findings forwarded to “appropriate superior authority in line with extant regulations.”
The military described the probe as comprehensive, noting that it followed established procedures and examined “all circumstances surrounding the conduct of the affected personnel.”
According to the DHQ, the investigation identified a number of officers facing allegations of plotting to overthrow the government, adding that such actions were “inconsistent with the ethics, values and professional standards required of members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.”
While the military did not officially comment on the involvement of civilians, multiple sources confirmed that Amandi was among those detained during the operation that led to the disruption of the alleged plot.
Amandi is a well-known figure in Nigeria’s film industry, with a career 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, where he appeared as an actor in 2024.
Checks on his social media activity show that his last post on Instagram was made on September 19, 2025, just days before his reported arrest.
Neither Amandi nor his legal representatives have publicly commented on the allegations as investigations and military judicial processes continue.