Coup controversy: Military tracks N45bn in NDDC funds to soldiers and politicians in wild corruption twist

By: Abudu Olalekan

Okay, so here’s the thing. You know how everyone’s been talking about that alleged coup plot against President Tinubu? Yeah, the one the military swears didn’t actually happen? Well, turns out there’s a whole lot more to it. And it involves a ton of cash. Like, N45 billion kind of cash. Seriously.

So here’s the deal. Investigators digging into that whole “coup” mess—y’know, the one where 16 soldiers got hauled in—stumbled onto something else. Big something. They found a money trail. Not just any trail, either. This one leads straight from the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) bank accounts to some pretty powerful people. And yeah, some of that cash allegedly ended up in the hands of those detained soldiers. Oof.

Wait, but the military keeps saying it’s not a coup, right? Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau, the Defence spokesperson, flat-out denied it. Called the whole coup rumor “false, misleading, and malicious.” So what’s really going on? According to insiders, the officers are in hot water for “professional misconduct.” But here’s where it gets messy.

See, around the same time, soldiers raided the Abuja crib of ex-Bayelsa governor Timipre Sylva. You remember him? Former oil minister, big shot in the All Progressives Congress. They busted in, arrested his brother and driver, and trashed the place. Word is, they were looking for links to that “coup” probe. But Sylva? He’s been chilling overseas—medical check-up in the UK, then a conference in Malaysia. His team says he’s totally innocent.

But why Sylva? And why the NDDC? Well, get this. The Defence Intelligence Agency started grilling NDDC bigwigs about a massive shoreline project. One worth—yep—N45 billion. And guess who it was awarded to? A former South-South governor. (Sylva, maybe? Just saying.) The cash, sources say, got spread around. To politicians. To detained soldiers. And now, the NDDC office is in full-on panic mode. Because if this unravels? It could expose a whole lot of dirty laundry.

One NDDC insider, who definitely didn’t want to be named, said the vibe there is pure chaos. “Ever since the top shots got hauled in,” they whispered, “it’s been like walking on eggshells. Directors are freaking out, watching their backs.” And why wouldn’t they? If the money trail leads to more execs? Yikes.

Sylva’s camp, though? They’re calling this a political hit job. His media guy, Julius Bokoru, went off. Said it’s all about “desperate” rivals gunning for the 2027 governorship. “They’re scared of Sylva,” Bokoru hissed. “His credibility’s too big. They’re trying to take him out early.” Oh, and about that raid? Sylva’s team says the DIA goons smashed up doors, tossed the place, but found nothing. Not a thing.

Meanwhile, the NDDC’s managing director, Samuel Ogbuku? He was Sylva’s old chief of staff. When asked if he got arrested? “Nah, man,” he texted. “I’m just seeing this nonsense online like everyone else.”

So here’s the million-naira question: Is this a coup cover-up? A cash grab by corrupt suits? Or just a really ugly political smear? The truth’s still buried under all that money. But one thing’s clear—the N45bn trail ain’t going away. And it’s got everyone from soldiers to senators sweating bullets.