Samuel Ogbuku, the managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), has reportedly been arrested by military intelligence for allegedly co-sponsoring a failed coup plot against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to sources within military intelligence, Ogbuku, who is known to be a nominee of former Bayelsa Governor Timipre Sylva, was arrested for allegedly transferring a substantial sum of money to Sylva, who previously served as the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources. Investigators are currently working on the theory that the funds in question originated from a recent NDDC contract.
The commission recently awarded a shoreline protection contract valued at over N54 billion, which involved a payment of approximately N20 billion in mobilization fees. Sources suggest that this N20 billion payment is the suspected source of the funds that were allegedly funneled to Sylva, who has reportedly been linked as one of the financiers of the failed coup attempt aimed at toppling the government.
Reports indicate that investigators believe the funds were intended to finance the coup to overthrow President Bola Tinubu. According to a report by Punch, “The MD transferred a hefty sum of money to Sylva. Investigators are examining the theory that this fund transfer is connected to the coup. He is currently answering questions regarding the intended purpose of the money.”
This situation is related to earlier reports that indicated 16 military officers have been accused of planning a coup against the president. SaharaReporters revealed, “The military authorities have been diplomatic in the statement released by their spokesperson. They have begun holding secret meetings to discuss plans to overthrow the President and other high-ranking government officials.”
