By George Ozalla
The Federal Government has begun formal steps to extradite former Governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, over allegations linking him to a plot to overthrow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The move is understood to be part of a wider investigation into an alleged coup network that security agencies say was uncovered after months of intelligence tracking and surveillance. Officials familiar with the case indicate that Sylva, who is believed to be outside the country, has been identified in connection with actions said to have aided or concealed aspects of the plot, prompting the government to initiate legal processes to bring him back to Nigeria to face questioning and possible prosecution.
The extradition effort comes as the Federal Government continues its case against a group of suspects already arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja. The defendants are facing charges bordering on treasonable felony and terrorism, with prosecutors alleging that they conspired to destabilise the government and undermine the authority of the president. They have, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Proceedings in the case have drawn national attention, with the court granting time for further hearings, including the consideration of bail applications. The accused persons remain in custody as investigations continue, while security agencies are said to be expanding the scope of their probe to track down other individuals believed to be connected to the alleged conspiracy.
Sources within the security establishment say the case against Sylva is still being developed, but authorities consider his alleged role significant enough to warrant international legal cooperation. The specific country where he is currently located has not been officially disclosed, and details of the extradition request remain largely within diplomatic and legal channels.
Sylva, who previously served as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources after his tenure as governor, is a well-known figure in Nigeria’s political landscape, particularly in the Niger Delta. His reported inclusion in the investigation marks a major escalation in the unfolding case.
The alleged coup plot first came to light in 2025 when the government announced it had foiled an attempt involving a network of individuals, including some with security backgrounds. Since then, authorities have maintained that the matter is being handled with the utmost seriousness, describing it as a direct threat to constitutional order and national stability.
