Former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, has remained outside Nigeria several months after operatives of the Defence Intelligence Agency raided his Abuja residence amid investigations into an alleged coup plot against President Bola Tinubu.
According to a report by PUNCH, Sylva, who was later declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over an alleged $14,859,257 fraud, could be arraigned in absentia for financial crimes.
Senior officials of the Department of State Services and the EFCC told one of our correspondents that the International Criminal Police Organisation, alongside other Nigerian security partners, had been mobilised to track the former governor.
The Defence Headquarters had earlier denied the existence of any coup plot. In October 2025, it dismissed reports suggesting that the arrest of 16 military officers was linked to an attempt to overthrow the government.
In a statement dated October 18, 2025, the then Director of Defence Information, Brig Gen Tukur Gusau, rejected a Sahara Reporters report that associated the officers’ detention with a failed coup and the cancellation of the October 1 Independence Day parade.
Gusau described the report as “intended to cause unnecessary tension and distrust among the populace.”
“The ongoing investigation involving the 16 officers is a routine internal process aimed at ensuring discipline and professionalism within the ranks. An investigative panel has been duly constituted, and its findings will be made public,” he said.
However, the military reversed its position last Monday, confirming that a plot to topple Tinubu’s administration had indeed been uncovered.
While presenting the outcome of investigations, the new Director of Defence Information, Maj Gen Samaila Uba, said several officers were found to have cases to answer.
He said, “The findings identified a number of officers with allegations of plotting to overthrow the government, which is inconsistent with the ethics, values and professional standards required of members of the AFN.”
Uba added that those indicted would be arraigned before appropriate military judicial panels in line with the Armed Forces Act and other service regulations.
Following the arrest of the 16 officers, operatives of the DIA raided Sylva’s Abuja residence on October 25, 2025.
Sylva was reportedly out of the country at the time of the operation. However, his younger brother, Paga, who serves as his Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs, and his driver were arrested during the raid.
On November 10, 2025, the EFCC declared the former governor wanted over an alleged case of “conspiracy and dishonest conversion” involving $14,859,257. The sum was said to be part of funds injected by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board into Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited for refinery construction.
Reacting, Sylva’s Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs, Julius Bokoru, dismissed claims linking his principal to the alleged coup plot, describing them as baseless and politically motivated.
He said the reports were the handiwork of “desperate and self-seeking politicians seeking to actualise their ambitions ahead of the 2027 elections.”
In a statement, Bokoru also criticised the EFCC’s action, stating that Sylva was undergoing medical examinations in the United Kingdom and would respond to the commission’s invitation upon his return to Nigeria.
However, three months after being declared wanted, Sylva has yet to return to the country.
Findings further revealed that the EFCC had formally notified Interpol to aid in the former governor’s arrest.
Although the Interpol spokesperson in Nigeria, Benjamin Hundeyin, who also serves as the Force Public Relations Officer, did not respond to calls or messages, security sources confirmed Interpol’s involvement.
“Interpol was contacted immediately after the former governor was declared wanted. Apart from the EFCC, the service is also after him. He can’t hide forever. He should submit himself for investigation if he is indeed innocent.
“Nnamdi Kanu was out of the country for a while, thinking he was off the radar. But where is he today? We will also get Sylva,” said a DSS operative familiar with the case.
An EFCC official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, disclosed that the commission was preparing to arraign the former governor.
“He is still on our wanted list. We are looking for the right time to arraign him. However, investigations are ongoing. We are building our case against him and, when concluded, he will be charged,” the source said.
When asked whether the EFCC could proceed to court without his physical presence, the official said it was legally permissible.
“It is possible, and the law makes provision for it. However, we have not concluded that this is the option we will take. But legally, it is possible,” he added.
Another EFCC operative urged Sylva to surrender himself.
“When a suspect of such status is declared wanted, all our partners around the world are placed on notice. Wherever he is, he will be traced. The right thing to do is to turn yourself in,” he said.
When contacted for comments last Thursday, Bokoru declined to speak further.
“Given the confirmation by the Defence Headquarters, this is now a national security matter. I am not in a position to comment on speculations, travel or investigations. Relevant authorities are best placed to speak when appropriate,” he said in a text message.
(PUNCH)
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