Coup Plot Bombshell: Timipre Sylva’s Aide Demands Answers — “Where Are They Coming From

Bokoru made the appeal in a statement issued on Friday while reacting to a series of reports linking his principal to an alleged coup plot.

He questioned the manner in which the allegations had been repeatedly reported, expressing concern that some media narratives appeared to be creating a particular impression about Sylva.

Bokoru disclosed that he had not been able to establish contact with Sylva since the controversy emerged but stressed that his comments were not intended to undermine investigative journalism.

He acknowledged the important role journalism has played in Nigeria, saying, “Nigerian journalism has, at its best, played a courageous and indispensable role in holding governments, institutions and powerful individuals to account.”

However, he argued that the allegations against Sylva had been repeatedly presented, repackaged and amplified in a way that could create the impression of a deliberate effort to establish a particular narrative in the minds of the public.

Bokoru questioned the origin and timing of documents reportedly being used in some of the media reports.

He asked, “Where are these materials coming from? Who is supplying them? Why are sensitive investigative documents appearing in carefully sequenced instalments?”

He further questioned why successive reports appeared to reinforce the same conclusion about Sylva despite the allegations not having been established in court.

Bokoru clarified that he was not accusing any media organisation of being sponsored by an individual or group, noting that he had no evidence to substantiate such a claim.

However, he said the pattern of coverage raised concerns about whether some organisations were independently pursuing their stories or, knowingly or unknowingly, following a narrative provided by another party.

He maintained that allegations contained in investigative documents should not automatically be treated as proven facts, stressing that guilt can only be established through the appropriate legal process.

According to him, “There is also a fundamental distinction that should never be blurred: an allegation is not evidence; an investigator’s theory is not a conviction; and a statement contained in an investigative file is not a judicial finding of guilt.”

Bokoru therefore urged media organisations reporting on the matter to ensure that any evidence against Sylva is subjected to proper scrutiny.

He added that if the allegations amount to a prosecutable case, the appropriate authorities should present the matter before the courts for determination.

“If there are allegations, report them as allegations,” Bokoru insisted.