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Coup Controversy: Military Traces N45bn From NDDC Accounts in Ongoing Probe
By: Fabian Apechihin
Military investigators probing the alleged coup plot against President Bola Tinubu’s administration have reportedly uncovered a trail of ₦45 billion disbursed from the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to several politically exposed persons and some soldiers detained over the purported conspiracy.
Earlier this month, Sahara Reporters claimed that 16 Nigerian Army officers had been arrested for allegedly plotting a coup d’état. The report linked the alleged plot to the cancellation of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day celebration by the Federal Government.
However, the Defence Headquarters, through its spokesperson Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau, swiftly dismissed the coup claims, clarifying that the detained officers were being investigated for professional misconduct, not treason.
Fresh Investigations and NDDC Links
New findings on Tuesday indicated that operatives of the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) raided the Abuja residence of former Bayelsa governor and ex-Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva, as part of the ongoing investigation.
Following this development, investigators reportedly interrogated senior NDDC officials regarding the origin, beneficiaries, and use of the ₦45 billion fund. The revelation has caused panic at the NDDC headquarters amid fears that the probe could widen to expose deeper financial irregularities.
According to security sources, the suspicious transactions include payments for a shoreline project worth ₦45 billion, allegedly awarded to a former South-South governor, with portions of the funds traced to the bank accounts of some of the detained officers.
A source familiar with the investigation described it as “part of a broader intelligence-led effort to trace the movement of public funds.”
Tension at NDDC Headquarters
Multiple sources within the NDDC confirmed that the interrogation of top executives has created an atmosphere of anxiety among staff.
“Since the news broke, the mood here has been uneasy. Many directors are being cautious about their movements and communication,” one senior official told The PUNCH.
The NDDC spokesperson, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, declined to comment on the matter when contacted.
Sylva Denies Involvement
Meanwhile, Timipre Sylva has denied any link to the alleged coup or the NDDC transactions. His media aide, Chief Julius Bokoru, described the allegations as “the handiwork of desperate politicians eyeing the 2027 elections.”
Bokoru confirmed that DIA operatives raided Sylva’s Abuja residence last Saturday, arresting his younger brother, Paga Sylva, and his driver, both of whom remain in custody. Sylva, however, was abroad during the operation — reportedly in the United Kingdom for medical checks before travelling to Malaysia for a professional conference.
He noted that nothing was seized from Sylva’s home, though a close associate revealed that “several doors and appliances were damaged during the raid.”
Bokoru reiterated that Sylva, a staunch supporter of President Tinubu, “has no involvement whatsoever — either in planning or logistics — with any coup plot.”
“Chief Sylva is a democrat whose political journey has always been rooted in constitutional and electoral processes,” Bokoru added.
The Defence Headquarters has maintained that reports of a coup are “false, misleading, and malicious”, insisting that the detained officers remain under investigation solely for disciplinary violations.
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…hails former chairman Garba on impactful tenure
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
The Vice Chancellor of the University of ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, has congratulated members of the newly elected Executive Committee of the Correspondents’ Chapel of Kwara State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), led by Mr Biola Azeez, the State Editor of the Nigerian Tribune newspapers.
In a congratulatory message to the new NUJ leaders, Prof. Egbewole also lauded the immediate past Chairman, Mr Abdulhakeem Garba of Channels Television for successfully handing over to a successor.
A statement made available to news men in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital, on Saturday by the University’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr Kunle Akogun, expressed the Vice Chancellor’s delight over the outcome of the election, saying that the peaceful conduct of the election and the absence of any rancour in its aftermath have shown the Correspondents’ Chapel as truly the flagship crop of journalists in Kwara State.
Prof. Egbewole also said that this development has further raised the public rating of the Correspondents’ Chapel, whose members constitute the crux of the membership of the elite UNILORIN Accredited Press Corps (UAPC).
While wishing the new exco members a successful and impactful tenure of office, the Vice Chancellor expressed the hope that the new NUJ officials would carry every member of the Union along to justify the confidence reposed in them.
End
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
In a smooth transition of leadership, Biola Azeez, the Kwara state correspondent of the Tribune newspapers, has emerged as the new Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kwara State Council.
Azeez’s emergence by affirmation marks the end of the tenure of the Mallam AbdulHakeem Garba-led executive committee, ushering in a new leadership phase for the elite body of journalists covering the state.
Also elected by affirmation were Ibrahim Alege of TVC as Vice Chairman, Sikirat Shehu of BusinessDay as Financial Secretary, and Afusat Agunbiade of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) as Treasurer. .
In the only contested positions, Mosunmola Ayobami of Western Post defeated Okufemi Akobi of AIT by 27 votes to 4 to become the new Secretary, while Oluseyi DaSilva of Arise TV triumphed over Taiye Joseph of Kogi Graphics in another closely watched race to bec the new Auditor of the Chapel.
The new leadership is expected to build on the achievements of the outgoing executive in promoting professional excellence and strengthening collaboration between the media and public institutions in Kwara State.
In his acceptance speech, Biola Azeez commended the immediate past executives of the Chapel on standard set, pledging that his administration would improve on professionalism and welfare of members.
He also said that efforts would be made to improve on relationship with government and other newsmakers in the state in order to perform more effectively and serve as watch dog of the society.
End.
Guinea-Bissau’s military authorities say they have foiled an alleged coup attempt aimed at subverting the country’s constitutional order ahead of next month’s general elections.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that several senior army officers were arrested for allegedly plotting to derail the electoral process.
The arrests were made on Oct. 30, just hours before the official commencement of campaigns for the legislative and presidential elections scheduled for Nov. 23, 2025.
Among those detained was Brig.-Gen. Daba Nawalna, also known as Dahaba Na Walna, the Director of the Cuméré Military Training Centre and a former President of the Military High Court.
Officials said he was apprehended at his residence in Bissau.
The development has heightened political tensions in the small West African nation, which has experienced several coups and attempted takeovers since independence in 1973.
The sources said that investigations were ongoing to identify other possible conspirators and ensure the safety and stability of the country ahead of the elections.
UNILORIN VC congratulates new NUJ Correspondents Chapel exco
Biola Azeez Emerges New Chairman Of Kwara NUJ Correspondents’ Chapel
Alleged Coup in Guinea-Bissau▪︎▪︎▪︎military arrests senior officers
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