Former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, remains outside Nigeria despite being declared wanted in connection with alleged financial crimes.
His absence follows a raid by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) operatives on his Abuja residence, conducted as part of investigations into an alleged coup plot against President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Sources said that Sylva, who is also wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged $14,859,257 fraud, could soon be arraigned in absentia if he does not return.
Security officials, including operatives from the Department of State Services (DSS) and EFCC, said Interpol and other international law enforcement partners are actively tracking Sylva.
“Interpol was contacted immediately after he was declared wanted. Alongside the EFCC, the DSS is pursuing him. He can’t hide forever. If he is innocent, he should submit himself for investigation,” a DSS operative said.
The source drew parallels with IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, who was abroad before his arrest, noting: “He thought he was off the radar. But where is he today? We will also get Sylva.”
A senior EFCC officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that Sylva would be arraigned, though no date has been set.
The October 25, 2025 DIA raid followed the arrest of 16 military officers allegedly linked to a coup plot.
Sylva was reportedly out of the country at the time. His younger brother, Paga Sylva — Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs — and his driver were detained during the operation.
On November 10, 2025, the EFCC declared Sylva wanted over alleged “conspiracy and dishonest conversion” of nearly $15 million. The funds were reportedly part of monies injected by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board into Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited for refinery construction. Three months later, Sylva has yet to return to Nigeria.
Sylva’s Camp Denies Coup Allegations
Sylva’s Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs, Julius Bokoru, dismissed claims linking his principal to any coup plot as “baseless and politically- motivated.”
In a statement, Bokoru said Sylva was in the United Kingdom for medical examinations and would comply with EFCC invitations upon his return. He described the allegations as the work of “desperate and self-seeking politicians seeking to advance their ambitions ahead of the 2027 elections.”
The DIA raid came after months of denial by the Defence Headquarters over the alleged coup. In October 2025, the military dismissed media reports tying the detention of officers to a failed coup and the cancellation of the October 1 Independence Day parade.
Brigadier-General Tukur Gusau, then Director of Defence Information, called the reports “intended to cause unnecessary tension and distrust among the populace,” noting the investigation into the 16 officers was “routine” and focused on maintaining discipline.
However, in January 2026, the military acknowledged that some officers had indeed plotted against the Tinubu administration. Major-General Samaila Uba, now Director of Defence Information, said investigations revealed officers implicated in plans to overthrow the Tinubu government.
