Nollywood filmmaker Stanley Amadi to face prosecution over alleged coup plot

By Folashade Olorunfemi –

Nollywood filmmaker and actor Stanley Amadi has been arrested alongside military officers in connection with a recent military coup plot against the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

Reports indicate that Amadi, a director and former chairperson of the Enugu State chapter of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, was arrested in September 2025 over allegations of planning to overthrow the civilian government, including marking top government officials for assassination.

Months after his arrest, Amadi was publicly identified as a media propagandist allegedly hired by the coup plotters. His last Instagram post was on 19 September 2025, shortly before his detention.

The alleged plotters reportedly planned to assassinate President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, among others.

Confirming the failed coup, the military stated that investigations revealed “a number of officers with allegations of plotting to overthrow the government,” describing such conduct as “inconsistent with the ethics, values, and professional standards required of members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.”

The Defence Headquarters also noted that the indicted officers would be arraigned before military judicial panels.

In an official statement released on Monday, the Defence Headquarters said the investigation has been completed and forwarded to the “appropriate superior authority in line with extant regulations.” According to the statement, the investigation was “comprehensive” and conducted in line with established procedures, examining “all circumstances surrounding the conduct of the affected personnel.”

Amadi has built a career as an actor, director, and production manager, appearing in and working behind the scenes on several Nollywood projects. His film credits include The Album (director), Tiger King (director and producer, 2008), Cornerstone (2019), and Once Upon a Dream (2024), in which he also acted. He began his acting career as a teenager and has starred in productions such as Lionheart, Bachelors, and Monica the Fighter. As a director, his works include The Album, Nkwocha, and Tiger King.