Fraud and conspiracy: Ex-gov Sylva may be arraigned in absentia

Sylva

Former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, has yet to return to the country months after his Abuja residence was raided by operatives of the Defence Intelligence Agency.

It was reported that the raid was connected with investigations into the alleged coup attempt against President Bola Tinubu.

Sunday PUNCH gathered that Sylva, who was also declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over alleged $14,859,257 fraud, might be arraigned in absentia for financial crimes.

Top officers of the Department of State Services and the EFCC told one of our correspondents that the International Criminal Police Organisation and other Nigerian partners in the war against crime were currently trailing the former governor.

Military’s lies about coup

The Defence Headquarters had, in October 2025, dismissed reports of a coup attempt, despite the arrest and detention of 16 officers accused of sponsoring the plot.

The DHQ, in a statement by its Director of Defence Information, Brig Gen Tukur Gusau, on October 18, 2025, denied a Sahara Reporters story linking the detention of the officers to 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, last Monday, the military backtracked, confirming that there was indeed a plot to topple Tinubu’s administration.

Presenting the outcome of investigations on the detained officers, the new Director of Defence Information, Maj Gen Samaila Uba, said the findings identified several officers with cases to answer over allegations of plotting to overthrow the government.