The Department of State Services (DSS) on Wednesday arraigned five associates of former Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva, before the Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations that they concealed his whereabouts after he was declared wanted by the Federal Government.
The defendants — Reuben Ayuba, Musa Mohammed, Friday Paul, Paganengigha Anagaha and Ayebaifie Suobite— were brought before Justice Peter Lifu on a two-count charge bordering on allegedly hiding the whereabouts of Sylva, whom the prosecution described as a fugitive.
According to the DSS, the five defendants became accessories after the fact by allegedly concealing Sylva’s whereabouts on April 28, 2026, an offence said to be contrary to Section 519 of the Criminal Code Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The prosecution further alleged that the defendants conspired to commit a felony by assisting in concealing the former Bayelsa State governor’s whereabouts, contrary to Section 516 of the Criminal Code.
When the charges were read in court, all five defendants pleaded not guilty.
Following the plea, counsel to the DSS, Emmanuel Orubor, urged the court to fix a date for trial, while lawyers representing the defendants applied for bail.
Senior Advocate of Nigeria Sanusi Musa represented the first and fourth defendants, while Ibrahim Imadegbelo, I.G. Kelubia and E.C. Sogo appeared for the remaining accused persons.
The defence team informed the court that the defendants had remained in DSS custody since October 25, 2025, and appealed for their release on liberal bail conditions.
In his ruling, Justice Peter Lifu admitted each defendant to bail in the sum of ₦5 million, with two sureties in like sum.
The court directed that each surety must provide an affidavit of means, evidence of three years’ tax clearance, proof of a verifiable source of livelihood, and recent passport photographs. The court registrar was also ordered to verify the identities of the sureties.
Pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions, the defendants were remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
Justice Lifu subsequently adjourned the matter until July 22 for the commencement of trial.
According to court documents, the defendants deliberately concealed Sylva’s whereabouts after the Federal Government declared him wanted.
The government had earlier accused the former minister and six others of involvement in an alleged coup plot against President Bola Tinubu. Following the allegations, separate charges were also filed against Sylva’s younger brother, Moses Sylva, and other associates, accusing them of obstructing efforts to arrest the former minister by concealing information about his location.
Sylva has denied all the allegations levelled against him.
Investigators alleged that the purported coup plot was planned for October 2025, leading to treason and terrorism charges against several military personnel and other suspects.
Authorities claimed the alleged conspiracy involved plans to assassinate the President, the Vice President and key leaders of the National Assembly before security agencies foiled the operation. The Defence Headquarters has since confirmed multiple arrests in connection with the case, while related trials continue before the Federal High Court.
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