Military investigators have expanded their probe into an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu, questioning a Federal Government agency Managing Director for a massive fund transfer to former Minister Timipre Sylva, whose Abuja home was simultaneously raided.
Military investigators probing an alleged coup plot against President Bola Tinubu are currently grilling a Managing Director of a Federal Government agency in the South South region. Two intelligence officers confirmed the MD’s arrest over the alleged transfer of a huge sum of money to former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, who is suspected of financing the plot. “The MD (name withheld) transferred a huge sum of money to Sylva. Investigators are working on the theory that the fund transfer was connected to the coup. He is presently answering questions about what the money was meant for,” a source disclosed.
Simultaneously, investigators raided Sylva’s Abuja house on Saturday, arresting his younger brother, Paga, and his driver. Sylva, an APC chieftain, was reportedly outside the country and stayed back upon hearing about the arrests of the alleged coup leaders. Another source stated, “Investigators believe Sylva allegedly funded the coup plot. Sylva was abroad and was preparing to leave for Nigeria when he got wind of the arrest of the coup leaders. So, he stayed back.”
The military had previously detained 16 officers for “indiscipline and breach of service regulations,” though online platform SaharaReporters claimed they were held for planning a coup.
“The 16 officers were planning a coup. The military authorities were just being diplomatic in the statement released by the spokesperson,” SaharaReporters quoted an unnamed official.