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Full List: How Sylva’s Alleged Coup Funds Were Shared Among Soldiers, Clerics
Full List: How Sylva’s Alleged Coup Funds Were Shared Among Soldiers, Clerics
The investigation records alleged that a former Bayelsa State governor, Timipre Sylva, provided ₦785m through Purple Waves Limited, an Abuja-based construction and real estate company accused of serving as a financial intermediary for the purported plot.
The funds were allegedly transferred from the company to accounts controlled by a Kano-based Bureau de Change operator, Abdullahi Sani Mohammed, who reportedly disbursed the money on the instructions of the suspected coup leader, Col. Mohammed Ma’aji.
The claims remain allegations and are subject to determination by the General Court Martial and the Federal High Court, where several suspects are standing trial.
Sylva, who is believed to be outside Nigeria, has denied involvement in the alleged plot.
According to investigation records reviewed by PREMIUM TIMES, Mohammed made 47 payments to various beneficiaries between September 20 and 30, 2025, as preparations for the alleged coup intensified.
The transactions occurred shortly before dates reportedly considered by the alleged conspirators for the operation, including September 27, October 1 and October 4.
The plan collapsed following Ma’aji’s arrest on September 29, 2025.
Investigators said several members of the alleged network were unaware of his arrest, allowing the BDC operator to continue making transfers until September 30.
Mohammed also reportedly continued receiving funds from Purple Waves until October 2.
In an extra-judicial statement to investigators, Mohammed said he had maintained a longstanding foreign exchange relationship with Ma’aji before the Purple Waves transactions began.
“Sometimes, Oga Ma’aji will call me to ask for a dollar price. If he asks me, I’ll tell him,” he wrote.
“Sometimes, he will ask if he can buy $1,000 or $3,000. Sometimes, he will ask for $10,000 or $9,000.”
He said their dealings later expanded to larger transactions involving accounts operated by A&A Express Link, ASA Multipurpose Concept and Luji Trade and Investment Limited.
Mohammed recalled receiving the first two major payments of ₦150m each into his Providus Bank account around September 18.
“Oga Ma’aji called me around 18 September 2025. He told me his people would pay money into the account,” the statement read.
“As I checked the account, I saw ₦150,000,000 in A&A Express in Providus Bank.”
He said Ma’aji subsequently sent instructions through a WhatsApp voice note directing him to pay ₦10m into a First Bank account.
Mohammed claimed another ₦150m was later credited to the same account, followed by transfers of ₦100m, ₦50m, another ₦100m and ₦50m into his Luji Trade and Investment account at Fidelity Bank.
He confirmed receiving a total of ₦785m from Purple Waves between September 20 and October 2, 2025.
Investigators alleged that some serving and former military personnel received payments for operational responsibilities in the planned takeover.
Lt. Col. Shamsudeen Bappah, allegedly assigned to seize and hold the 102 Battalion in Zuma, Niger State, reportedly received ₦5m on September 27.
Lt. Felix Sunday Stephen, who was allegedly tasked with surveying an airport in Lagos, gathering intelligence and disrupting flights on the proposed operation day, reportedly received an initial ₦5m on September 23 and another ₦12m two days later.
An army officer identified as Lt. Aminu John allegedly received ₦10m on September 22.
Maj. Mundi Usman, who was reportedly assigned to lead an operation at the Presidential Villa, allegedly received multiple transfers, including ₦10m on September 23, another ₦10m on September 25 and ₦5m on September 28.
Squadron Leader Zuzu Noel Goddy of the Nigerian Air Force allegedly received ₦1m on September 28 to deploy gun trucks onto the Abuja airport runway and halt flight operations.
Another officer, Squadron Leader Sani Bubara Adamu, allegedly received ₦1m on September 25 for a purported operation targeting the Air House. Investigators said he remained at large.
Other alleged beneficiaries included former Capt. Abubakar Mohammed, Corporal Aliyu Ibrahim and Warrant Officer Nasiru Ibrahim, who reportedly received ₦5m each.
The records also identified an Islamic cleric, Goni Bukar, as one of the largest individual beneficiaries.
Investigators alleged that Bukar was engaged to provide spiritual support for the planned operation.
He reportedly received ₦10m on September 20, ₦20m on September 23 and another ₦20m on September 29, bringing the total transferred to him to ₦50m.
The cleric has maintained in statements attributed to him that money received from Ma’aji was intended for prayers, charity and mosque-related activities rather than an attempt to overthrow the government.
Investigators also traced several transfers to corporate accounts.
An account belonging to Cutzbytz Cakes reportedly received ₦10.3m on September 22, ₦20m on September 26 and ₦1.2m the following day.
Other recipients listed in the records included Co-fran Spinfluence, which allegedly received ₦32m; Aduko Engineering Services, ₦3.5m; Schutmann Nigeria Limited, ₦10m; Overere Services Limited, ₦15m; and Auto Revive, ₦6.26m.
An auto dealer identified as Ahmed Abdulganiyu allegedly received ₦46.5m on September 27.
Alhaji Abubakar Maliki reportedly received two payments totalling ₦55m, while Christopher Elube allegedly received two transfers totalling ₦36m on September 28.
Investigators said the use of corporate accounts suggested that some beneficiaries received the alleged coup funds through business entities rather than personal accounts.
Mohammed reportedly admitted transferring more than ₦700m to the listed beneficiaries on Ma’aji’s instructions.
The investigation records showed that the BDC operator received names, account details and payment amounts from the colonel.
“Later, he called me to his house in Lokogoma to calculate some money that I paid into people’s accounts,” Mohammed stated.
“He brought out his paper and his list to show me and tell me to buy $5,000 to bring to his house.”
The Nigerian Army reportedly recovered the funds that had not been disbursed when the BDC operator was arrested.
Investigators said the suspected conspirators used agricultural expressions to conceal their communications.
The entire operation was allegedly referred to as “farming,” while logistics were called “fertilisers.”
The proposed execution day was described as the “harvest,” the operation itself as “digital farming,” and clerics consulted for prayers as “technical partners.”
The records alleged that Sylva initially hesitated to support the plot before later becoming a major financier through Purple Waves.
The company’s account reportedly held more than ₦5bn when disbursements began in September 2025.
More than 40 suspects, including serving and retired military personnel, a police officer, clerics and civilians, were arrested between September and October 2025.
Thirty-six military personnel are facing trial before a General Court Martial in Abuja.
Six other defendants are standing trial before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja on 13 counts.
The defendants before the Federal High Court have challenged the admissibility of their statements and video recordings.
They argued that the evidence was obtained in violation of safeguards provided under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.
The prosecution, however, urged the court to dismiss the objections and admit the materials in evidence.
Five associates of Sylva are also reportedly being prosecuted over allegations that they failed to disclose information about his whereabouts.
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has approved the payment of a 13th-month pension bonus to all pensioners in the state, as well as a one-off welfare support of N10,000 in November 2026.
Speaking at the Ibom Hall grounds in Uyo on Friday, during the presentation of a merit award by the State Council of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners and an endorsement of his second-term bid, Eno said pensioners deserved to rest well after their meritorious service to the state.
Eno said he was particularly impressed by the pensioners’ sense of gratitude and assured them that the state government, under his leadership, would continue to prioritise the welfare of pensioners and elderly citizens.
He said, “This is indeed humbling to me. It shows that you are truly technocrats with a laudable sense of organisation. You may be retired but not tired. I celebrate and appreciate you greatly.
“I am now directing that N10,000 be added to the November 2026 pension payment of every pensioner in support of your welfare.”
He urged them to enrol in the state’s health insurance scheme, which he said was free for people aged 65 and above, to enable them to enjoy quality healthcare.
Eno recalled that he had promised to clear the backlog of gratuities, adding that N100bn had so far been paid from the accumulated N111bn owed since 2012. He assured the pensioners that the outstanding balance would be cleared before the end of his first term.
He commended President Bola Tinubu for making funds available to states, saying this had enabled him to fulfil his promise to clear the gratuity arrears.
Eno called on the pensioners to vote massively for Tinubu in the 2027 elections, saying this would ensure the continued availability of funds for the prompt payment of gratuities and pensions, as well as other welfare packages.
He also urged pensioners from Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District to vote for the re-election of the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
Responding, the National President of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Comrade Mazi Godwin Ikechukwu Abumisi, commended Eno for what he described as his compassion and care for pensioners in the state.
Abumisi also praised Eno’s leadership and development efforts and urged pensioners across the state to support his second-term bid in 2027.
Earlier, in his welcome remarks, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Pastor Sylvester Nkodo, thanked Eno for his leadership, saying his commitment to the welfare of elderly people and retired public servants was heartwarming.
“Governor Umo Eno is a true leader with the heart for humanity who deserves prayers and support from the people. I urge pensioners to support his administration,” he said.
The National Assembly has confirmed that 28 State Houses of Assembly have approved the proposed establishment of state police in Nigeria, paving the way for the constitutional amendment bill to be transmitted to President Bola Tinubu for assent.
According to the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, the 28 approvals exceed the two-thirds majority required under Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution, which translates to 24 states. The National Assembly can therefore proceed with the next stage of the process towards presidential assent.
The bill was forwarded to the 36 state assemblies on September 16, 2026, for consideration, with October 15 initially set as the deadline for them to communicate their decisions. Ogunlana, however, said his office would continue to receive and verify reports from the assemblies ahead of the bill’s transmission to Tinubu.
The 28 states that have approved the proposed establishment of state police are listed below:
Adamawa
Delta
Edo
Kwara
Nasarawa
Ogun
Osun
Oyo
Plateau
Rivers
Taraba
Zamfara
Enugu
Anambra
Imo
Ekiti
Kebbi
Akwa Ibom
Bayelsa
Benue
Cross River
Abia
Yobe
Kaduna
Lagos
Kano
Sokoto
Ebonyi
A new political prediction has emerged ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with a state-by-state electoral map showing the states former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi are projected to win.
The prediction, published by Statecraft, outlines the expected performance of the three major political figures across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
According to the prediction, Tinubu is projected to win 15 states and the FCT, Atiku is expected to secure nine states, while Obi is tipped to emerge victorious in 12 states.
The map, which uses orange, blue and white colours to distinguish the three presidential contenders, provides a breakdown of the states each candidate is projected to win.
States Tinubu Is Projected to Win
According to the prediction, Tinubu is expected to win.
The FCT is also included in Tinubu’s projected victories.
States Atiku Abubakar Is Projected to Win
The former vice president is projected to win nine states.
States Peter Obi Is Projected to Win
Meanwhile, Obi is projected to secure 12 states.
The breakdown suggests a competitive presidential contest, with the three political figures projected to command support across different regions of the country.
Interestingly, the prediction places Tinubu ahead with 15 states and the FCT, followed by Obi with 12 states and Atiku with nine states.
However, it is important to note that the map represents Statecraft’s political prediction and not an official election result, an opinion poll or a declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The actual outcome of the 2027 presidential election will be determined by voters when Nigerians head to the polls.
The prediction has also raised questions about the possible political realignments, regional voting patterns and factors that could shape the contest in 2027.
JUST IN: Nigerian Gov Approves 13th-Month Bonus
Full List: 28 States That Approved State Police
