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.

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.”

He noted that those indicted would be formally arraigned before relevant military judicial panels to face trial in line with the Armed Forces Act and other applicable service regulations.

Following the arrest of the 16 military officers, Sylva’s Abuja residence was raided on October 25, 2025, by operatives of the DIA.

Sylva was out of the country at the time his house was raided, but his younger brother, Paga, who serves as his Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs, along with his driver, was arrested during the operation.

Also, the former governor was 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 the construction of a refinery.

However, Sylva’s Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs, Julius Bokoru, dismissed reports linking his principal to the coup plot, describing them as baseless and politically motivated.

He described the reports as the handiwork of “desperate and self-seeking politicians seeking to actualise their ambitions ahead of the 2027 elections.”

In a statement, Bokoru condemned the EFCC’s action, noting that the former minister was undergoing medical examination in the UK 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.

EFCC, Interpol intensify chase

Findings by Sunday PUNCH revealed that the EFCC had alerted Interpol to facilitate the arrest of the former governor.

Although the Interpol spokesperson in Nigeria, Benjamin Hundeyin, who also doubles as the Force Public Relations Officer, neither answered calls nor responded to messages sent to his phone, top security officers, including DSS and police personnel, told Sunday PUNCH that Interpol was involved in efforts to apprehend Sylva.

“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 knowledgeable about the matter.

Sylva may face trial in absentia

Similarly, an EFCC officer, who spoke with Sunday PUNCH on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the matter, disclosed that Sylva would be arraigned.

“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 if the commission would proceed to court before his apprehension, the source said Sylva could be arraigned 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.

Speaking with one of our correspondents, another EFCC operative urged the former governor to turn himself in.

“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 added.

However, when contacted last Thursday, Sylva’s spokesperson declined to comment on the matter.

“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. (Sunday PUNCH)

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