The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Samuel Ogbuku, has reportedly been arrested by military intelligence operatives over allegations that he co-financed a failed coup attempt against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to sources within military intelligence, Ogbuku who is regarded as a nominee of former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva was apprehended for allegedly transferring a huge sum of money to the ex-Minister of State for Petroleum Resources.
Investigators are said to be probing a possible link between the alleged transfer and funds from a recent NDDC shoreline protection project valued at ₦54 billion, from which approximately ₦20 billion had already been disbursed as mobilization fees.
Security operatives reportedly suspect that the ₦20 billion payment may have served as the source of the funds allegedly channelled to Sylva, who has been fingered as one of the financiers of the purported move to destabilize the government.
Citing security reports, investigators believe the money was meant to finance the coup in order to overthrow President Tinubu.
A report further alleged that, The MD transferred a huge sum of money to Sylva. Investigators are working on the theory that the fund transfer was connected to the coup. He is presently answering questions about what the money was meant for.
This development follows earlier reports that 16 senior military officers were under investigation for allegedly plotting to overthrow the Tinubu administration.
Meanwhile, SaharaReporters quoted sources who claimed that despite official restraint in the military’s public statements, secret meetings had already begun on plans to topple the President and other top government officials.
The military is yet to release an official statement on Ogbuku’s alleged arrest as investigations continue.
