Former Bayelsa State Gov. Timipre Sylva has remained outside Nigeria months after operatives of the Defence Intelligence Agency raided his Abuja residence amid investigations linked to an alleged plot against President Bola Tinubu.
Sylva, who has also been declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over an alleged fraud of $14.86 million, may be arraigned in absentia, security and anti-graft sources revealed.
Senior officials of the Department of State Services and the EFCC said international partners, including the International Criminal Police Organisation, had been alerted and were tracking the former governor.
The Defence Headquarters had initially denied reports of a coup attempt in October 2025, despite the arrest and detention of 16 military officers accused of sponsoring the plot. In a statement on Oct. 18, 2025, the Director of Defence Information at the time, Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau, dismissed media reports linking the detentions to a failed coup and the cancellation of the Oct. 1 Independence Day parade, describing them as misleading and capable of causing public tension.
“The ongoing investigation involving the 16 officers is a routine internal process aimed at ensuring discipline and professionalism within the ranks,” Gusau said, adding that the outcome would be made public.
However, the military later reversed its position. Last Monday, the new Director of Defence Information, Maj. Gen. Samaila Uba, confirmed that investigations had uncovered a plot to topple the Tinubu administration.
Presenting the findings, Uba said several officers had cases to answer over allegations of attempting to overthrow the government, noting that those indicted would be arraigned before appropriate military judicial panels in line with the Armed Forces Act.
Following the arrest of the officers, operatives of the DIA raided Sylva’s Abuja residence on Oct. 25, 2025. Sylva was reportedly out of the country at the time, but his younger brother, Paga, his special assistant on domestic affairs, and his driver were arrested during the operation.
On Nov. 10, 2025, the EFCC declared the former governor wanted over alleged conspiracy and dishonest conversion of $14,859,257. The funds were part of monies reportedly injected by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board into Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Ltd. for the construction of a refinery.
Sylva’s Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs, Julius Bokoru, denied any link between his principal and the alleged coup plot, describing the reports as baseless and politically motivated.
In a statement, Bokoru said the allegations were being pushed by “desperate and self-seeking politicians” ahead of the 2027 elections. He added that Sylva was undergoing medical examination in the United Kingdom and would honor the EFCC’s invitation upon his return.
More than three months after being declared wanted, Sylva has yet to return to Nigeria. Security sources said the EFCC had formally notified Interpol to aid in his arrest.
Although the police spokesperson and Interpol liaison officer in Nigeria, Benjamin Hundeyin, did not respond to calls or messages, senior security officials confirmed that international tracking efforts were ongoing.
“Interpol was contacted immediately after the former governor was declared wanted,” a DSS operative familiar with the case said. “He cannot hide forever. If he is innocent, he should submit himself for investigation.”
An EFCC official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the commission was building its case and intended to prosecute Sylva.
“He is still on our wanted list,” the official said. “When investigations are concluded, he will be charged.”
Asked whether the commission could proceed without his physical presence, the source said arraignment in absentia was legally possible.
“The law makes provision for it,” the official said. “We have not taken a final decision, but it remains an option.”
