Former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, has remained outside the country months after operatives of the Defence Intelligence Agency raided his Abuja residence.
The raid was reportedly linked to investigations into an 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 an alleged $14,859,257 fraud, may be arraigned in absentia on financial crime charges.
Senior officials of the Department of State Services and the EFCC told one of our correspondents that the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol), alongside other Nigerian security partners, is currently tracking the former governor.
In October 2025, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) had dismissed reports of a coup attempt, despite the arrest and detention of 16 military officers accused of sponsoring the plot.
In a statement issued on October 18, 2025, by the Director of Defence Information at the time, Brig Gen Tukur Gusau, the DHQ denied a Sahara Reporters publication that linked 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, the military later reversed its position, confirming that there was indeed a plot to overthrow Tinubu’s administration.
While presenting the outcome of investigations into the detained officers, the new Director of Defence Information, Maj Gen Samaila Uba, said findings revealed that several officers had cases to answer over allegations of plotting against the government.
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 military 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, but his younger brother, Paga, who serves as his Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs, as well as his driver, were arrested.
The former governor was subsequently declared wanted on November 10, 2025, over an alleged case of “conspiracy and dishonest conversion” of $14,859,257, part of funds injected by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board into Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited for refinery construction.
Sylva’s Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs, Julius Bokoru, had dismissed reports linking his principal to the alleged coup plot, describing them as baseless and politically motivated.
He characterised the allegations as 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, explaining that the former minister was undergoing medical examinations in the United Kingdom and would honour the commission’s invitation upon his return to Nigeria.
However, three months after being declared wanted, Sylva has yet to return to the country.
Investigations by Sunday PUNCH revealed that the EFCC had formally alerted Interpol to assist in locating and arresting the former governor.
Although the Nigerian spokesperson for Interpol, Benjamin Hundeyin—who also serves as the Force Public Relations Officer—did not respond to calls or messages, senior security officials, including DSS and police officers, confirmed to Sunday PUNCH that Interpol is actively involved in the manhunt.
“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 matter.
Similarly, an EFCC official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, disclosed that the commission was preparing to prosecute 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.
Asked whether the EFCC could proceed to court before his arrest, the official said Sylva could be tried in absentia.
“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 the former governor to surrender himself to authorities.
“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.
However, when contacted last Thursday, Sylva’s spokesperson declined further comment.
“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,” Bokoru said in a text message.
