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Coup Allegation: Security Agencies Track Ex-Governor Overseas
Timipre Sylva, former Bayelsa State Governor, has yet to return to the country months after his Abuja residence was raided by operatives of the Defence Intelligence Agency, on the allegations of his connection with a failed coup attempt against President Bola Tinubu.
A top officer of the Department of State Services told newsmen that the International Criminal Police Organisation and other Nigerian partners in the war against crime were currently trailing the former governor.
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.
Sources within the security agencies said investigations into the alleged coup plot were still ongoing, adding that several persons of interest had been invited for questioning in recent weeks. According to the sources, Sylva’s name featured prominently during intelligence reviews linked to the incident.
The sources further disclosed that the former governor has remained outside Nigeria since the raid on his residence, a development that has complicated efforts by security agencies to question him directly. Officials, however, maintained that his continued absence would not stall the investigation.
Meanwhile, officials of the EFCC said the financial crime case against Sylva was being pursued independently of the security probe, stressing that all legal options remained open. One of the officials noted that the commission was working closely with international partners to ensure that the former governor is brought to justice.
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