A dramatic twist has emerged from Nigeria’s security crackdown as a prominent Nollywood actor and filmmaker has been drawn into an alleged plan to violently unseat President Bola Tinubu’s government, leading to his arrest.
Stanley Amandi, an actor and film director with deep roots in the movie industry, is now in custody following investigations into what military authorities described as a coordinated attempt to overthrow the current administration.
According to security findings, Amandi was not accused of bearing arms.
Instead, investigators believe he was recruited to shape narratives and mobilise public sentiment in support of the plot, effectively serving as a propaganda strategist for the suspected conspirators.
“This was not a random association,” a senior security source said.
“Investigators believe his role was designed to influence perception and legitimise the actions of the plotters once the plan was triggered.”
Moreover, intelligence briefings indicate that the alleged scheme went beyond political agitation.
Those behind the plot were said to have drawn up a hit list targeting key figures at the highest levels of government.
Among those reportedly marked for assassination were President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, according to officials familiar with the investigation.
On Monday, the Defence Headquarters formally confirmed that a probe into an unlawful bid to remove the Tinubu administration had been concluded, clearing the way for prosecutions within and outside the military.
In an official statement, the military said the findings had been forwarded to “appropriate superior authority in line with extant regulations,” stressing that due process would be followed.
“The investigation was exhaustive and conducted strictly within established military procedures,” the statement said, adding that the actions uncovered were incompatible with the values of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
However, this confirmation contrasts with earlier official reactions.
Last year, reports that about 16 officers were being investigated for coup-related activities were publicly downplayed, with authorities at the time describing the probe as routine disciplinary action.
Further inquiries, nonetheless, expanded the scope of the case, leading to the arrest of more military personnel and civilians, including the Nollywood figure.
Sources said serving officers implicated in the matter would first face court-martial proceedings, while civilians are expected to be prosecuted through regular courts.
“This dual-track process ensures accountability without undermining military discipline or civilian law,” a defence insider said.
Amandi is a familiar name in Nigeria’s film industry, having worked as an actor, director, producer and former chairman of the Actors Guild of Nigeria in Enugu State.
His body of work spans titles such as Tiger King, Cornerstone, and Once Upon a Dream, placing him among a generation of creatives who shaped regional Nollywood productions.
Notably, his social media activity went silent on September 19, 2025, a date investigators now link closely to his arrest.
As proceedings move forward, the unfolding case underscores growing concerns within Nigeria’s security architecture about internal threats, while also casting an unexpected spotlight on the intersection between politics, propaganda, and popular culture.