By Abiola Olawale
Reports emerging on Tuesday have revealed that investigators have named former Bayelsa State Governor and former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva as one of the two individuals who allegedly funded a coup plot against President Bola Tinubu.
It was gathered that security agencies have been able to trace N785 million that was allegedly funneled through a private company for the purpose of overthrowing the government of Tinubu.
PREMIUM TIMES reported on Tuesday that investigators alleged that the funds were transferred through Purple Waves Limited, an Abuja-based construction company.
It was also gathered that the firm’s secretary, John Ebokpo, has been arrested by security operatives and currently remains in detention.
However, Sylva’s precise connection to Purple Waves Limited is not immediately clear. Company records at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) did not list him as a director or shareholder. The firm was registered in March 2009 for construction, building, and maintenance activities.
Recall that Sylva has been allegedly linked to being the principal financier of the coup plot but has dismissed the allegations, maintaining that he has nothing to do with the coup plot against Tinubu.
The second alleged sponsor, Moses Zakwa, is accused of contributing N50 million through Clay Ring Services Limited, a Lagos-based firm where he is listed as a director. The company is registered for property renovation, development, and management services.
Little is known about Zakwa. A search of his digital footprint yielded nothing. However, in 2014, a man bearing the same name led members of the Kibaku Youth Association in a peaceful protest at the Alausa Secretariat in Ikeja, demanding the release of abducted schoolgirls in Borno State. It is unclear whether that is the same individual now in the custody of security agencies.
This report comes a month aftermonth Defence Headquarters announced that investigations on the coup plot against Tinubu had been completed and forwarded to the “appropriate superior authority in line with extant regulations.”
The military disclosed that the findings identified “several officers with allegations of plotting to overthrow the government,” describing such conduct as “inconsistent with the ethics, values, and professional standards required of members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.”
It was gathered that 40 suspects are detained, including senior military officers across the armed forces, a police officer, and civilians allegedly involved in reconnaissance, funding, and propaganda operations of the coup.
The investigation also identified retired Major General Adamu as one of the key figures connected to the network. Adamu remains at large alongside Sylva.
