Former Governor Timipre Sylva of Bayelsa State is facing imprecise accusations of coup plot, oil bunkering and other illicit operations in the Niger Delta, South-South Nigeria. In addition to the multiplicity of accusations, multiple security agencies are involved in the investigation of Sylva for no specific perceived crime. The agencies include Defence Intelligence Agency, DIA, Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, including the Department Of State Services, DSS.
Earlier the EFCC invited, and subsequently declared Sylva wanted on allegation of $14.8 million fraud. When there was a report of coup towards the end of 2025, Sylva’s name was mentioned, even at the time that military authorities denied the coup. When the foiled coup became recently accepted, and investigations commenced, security agencies, again, identified Sylva, former Minister of State for Petroleum, as the alleged financier of the foiled coup.
Even then, the Department Of State Services, DSS, invaded the residence of Sylva in Abuja, in search of evidence to nail the former Bayelsa State Governor, and a minister in the administration of late President Muhammadu Buhari.
An investigation by a combined team of Defence Intelligence Agency, DIA, Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU, and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, was said to have traced significant amount of money purportedly disbursed for the aborted coup to accounts linked to Sylva. These agencies were perceived to be deepening investigation on the failed coup.
As it were, Sylva will be facing allegations of coup plot, $14.8 million fraud, oil bunkering and other illicit activities in the Niger Delta, all at the same time. Meanwhile, Sylva has denied all allegations, including involvement in the failed coup. Sylva, in a statement by his Media Aide, Julius Bokoru, attributed the allegations to politics, noting that they are plots to ruin his reputation and political interest in the buildup to the 2027 General Elections.
