Breaking News: N45 Billion Trail Found in Coup-Plot Probe Linked to NDDC Funds
By Passman Akpos
Abuja, Nigeria — A high-stakes military investigation into an alleged coup attempt against President Bola Tinubu has reportedly exposed a suspicious flow of N45 billion withdrawn from the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and traced to politically exposed persons (PEPs) and detained soldiers implicated in the conspiracy.
The Uncovered Trail
According to multiple security sources, intelligence operatives have uncovered records linking large disbursements from NDDC accounts to bank transfers made to both senior politicians and some of the military officers currently in custody.
One version of the probe holds that a major shoreline infrastructure contract, awarded to a former governor in the South–South region, served as a conduit for moving funds. Investigators allege that portions of those contract sums were siphoned off into accounts connected to the alleged plotters.
A source within the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) apparently told media that the probe “revealed a network of payments” linking the NDDC, prominent political figures, and military officers under investigation.
Key Figures Under Scrutiny
Among those flagged in media reports is a federal agency Managing Director, detained and being questioned over alleged transfers to Timipre Sylva, the former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources. Investigators believe Sylva may have been one of the financiers of the purported coup.
Sylva’s Abuja residence was reportedly raided, and his brother and driver were arrested. The former minister was abroad at the time of the raid and postponed his return after the arrests unfolded.
Meanwhile, multiple military officers — initially reported as 16 in number — remain in custody at undisclosed locations. While the military has publicly described their detention as disciplinary, the discovery of financial links to the NDDC has deepened suspicions about an orchestrated plot.
Official Responses and Denials
The Defence Headquarters has repeatedly denied any coup attempt, calling such reports “false, misleading and malicious.” It insists that the officers are being investigated for breaches of military regulations, rather than plotting regime change.
At the NDDC, tensions are reportedly high. Senior officials are said to be on edge, fearing the inquiry may widen to implicate more in the commission’s financial dealings. The NDDC spokesperson declined to address questions about ongoing interrogations.
Stakes and Implications
If verified, the alleged involvement of NDDC funds in subversive activities would represent one of the gravest crises of public trust in recent years. The Niger Delta Development Commission, intended to drive infrastructure and development in the oil-rich region, has long faced scrutiny over mismanagement and contract scandals. This new revelation could prompt renewed calls for deep institutional reform.
The unfolding drama raises critical questions: Who ordered these disbursements? Which political figures might be complicit? Will the military tribunal treat offenses as disciplinary lapses or national security threats?
For now, the people of Nigeria — and observers across Africa — await clarity. The probe is ongoing, and further announcements are expected in the coming days.
