By George Ozalla
There have been widespread reports across various media platforms alleging an attempted coup d’état plot against the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. While the Federal Government has not issued a categorical or point-blank statement confirming or denying the existence of such a plot, official sources have indicated that certain military personnel are currently undergoing disciplinary action over alleged acts of misconduct within the armed forces.
Amid these swirling allegations, former Minister of State for Petroleum and ex-Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva, has reportedly fled Nigeria. Multiple sources allege that Sylva departed the country following investigations by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), which had linked him to the alleged plot. He was said to have escaped first to Senegal, with plans to proceed to Argentina, where he reportedly maintains business interests.
According to reports, operatives of the DIA stormed Sylva’s Maitama District Abuja residence in a late-night operation, during which his brother, Paga Sylva, was arrested. The raid also reportedly extended to his Bayelsa home, where investigators allegedly recovered a cache of foreign currency and documents believed to be connected to the investigation.
Intelligence sources cited in the reports claimed that a sum of about ₦46 billion was traced to an account allegedly linked to the former minister. It was further alleged that Sylva held undisclosed meetings with certain detained military officers, one of whom reportedly named him as a key figure in the supposed plot.
While details surrounding the investigation remain sketchy and no official statement has been made by the presidency or the Ministry of Defence, the development has fueled intense speculation within political and security circles. Observers, however, caution that the unfolding situation may carry political undertones, as security agencies continue their probe into the alleged conspiracy.
Sylva, a prominent political figure from the Niger Delta region, served as Governor of Bayelsa State between 2008 and 2012 and later as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources under President Muhammadu Buhari. He was the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the 2023 Bayelsa election.
The Defence Headquarters is yet to provide official clarification on the extent of the ongoing investigation or the precise nature of the alleged coup plot.
Under Nigerian law, any attempt to overthrow the government, whether successful or not, constitutes treason or treasonable felony, both of which carry extremely severe penalties, including death. Section 37(1) of the Criminal Code Act provides that any person who levies war against the state to overawe the President or Governor is guilty of treason and liable to suffer death. Similarly, Section 41 defines treasonable felony as any act intended to overawe the Government of the Federation or incite the military to depose the government, punishable by life imprisonment.
In the military context, the Armed Forces Act (Cap A20 LFN 2004) prescribes the death penalty for any officer convicted of plotting or executing a coup. Even the mere intention, conspiracy, or plan to commit such an act constitutes a grave capital offence under Section 516 of the Criminal Code, which punishes conspiracy to commit a felony as severely as the act itself.
Although Nigeria operates a constitutional democracy, the death penalty remains part of its legal system. Therefore, if the alleged coup plot under investigation is eventually proven true, and the accused individuals found guilty, the law permits capital punishment even under civilian rule.
Nigeria’s history is deeply marked by coups and counter-coups. The first was staged on January 15, 1966, led by Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu, which toppled the First Republic. A counter-coup followed on July 29, 1966, resulting in the assassination of General Johnson Umunnakwe Aguiyi-Ironsi. Subsequent coups include the 1975 overthrow of General Yakubu Gowon, the 1976 failed Dimka coup that killed General Murtala Mohammed, and the 1983 coup that brought Major General Muhammadu Buhari to power. Others followed, including the 1985 coup that installed General Ibrahim Babangida, the 1990 failed Gideon Orkar coup, and the 1993 takeover by General Sani Abacha.
Failed coup plots were also reported during the Abacha regime in the mid-1990s and under President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2004. These events underline the recurring tension between military ambition and Nigeria’s fragile democracy.
Legal experts insist that the nation’s strict anti-coup statutes serve as deterrence, ensuring that the sanctity of civilian governance remains protected. While some human rights advocates continue to question the morality of the death penalty, the prevailing Nigerian law leaves no ambiguity: plotting, attempting, or even conceiving a coup against a lawful government remains a capital offence.
As investigations into the alleged plot continue, observers urge transparency and adherence to due process, warning that both justice and national stability must guide the government’s next steps.
Disclaimer: * This report is based on verified field correspondences and multiple independent sources available at the time of publication. Neither NEWSCOUNT nor the author makes any definitive legal conclusion on the alleged investigation or individuals mentioned. All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty through due judicial process, in line with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and applicable laws.
Published by NEWSCOUNT.
