The Department of State Services (DSS) on Thursday arraigned five men alleged to be associates of former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, for allegedly concealing his whereabouts following his implication in an alleged coup plot against President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Sylva, who previously served as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources under former President Muhammadu Buhari, is said to have fled the country after being linked to the alleged plot and has since been declared wanted by the Federal Government.Authorities have also moved to confiscate some of his identified properties as part of ongoing investigations.
The defendants — Reuben Ayuba, Musa Mohammed, Friday Paul, Paganengigha Anagaha and Ayebaifife Suobite — were arraigned before Justice Peter Lifu on a two-count charge of being accessories after the fact of felony.
They all pleaded not guilty.
According to the charge, the defendants allegedly concealed Sylva’s whereabouts on 28 April, thereby assisting him after he was said to have become a fugitive of the law. The offence is said to contravene Section 519 of the Criminal Code Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Following their pleas, prosecution counsel Emmanuel Orubor urged the court to remand the defendants in custody pending trial and to fix a date for the commencement of proceedings.
However, counsel to the 1st and 4th defendants, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Sunusi Musa, along with lawyers representing the other defendants, applied for bail, arguing that the accused persons had been in DSS custody since 25 October 2025 and should be released on liberal terms.
Delivering ruling, Justice Lifu held that the charges were bailable and granted each defendant bail in the sum of N5 million, with two sureties in like sum.
The court directed that the sureties must swear to affidavits of means, provide evidence of three years’ tax clearance, show proof of visible means of livelihood, and submit recent passport photographs. It further ordered that the identities of the sureties be verified by the court registrar.
Pending fulfilment of the bail conditions, the defendants were remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre.
The case was adjourned until 22 July 2026 for the commencement of trial.
One of the charges read: “That you, Ruben Ayuba, Musa Mohammed, Friday Paul, Paganengigha Anagaha and Ayebaifie Suobite, on or about 28 April 2026, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did become accessories after the fact of felony by concealing the whereabouts of Timipre Sylva, who is a fugitive of the law, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 519 of the Criminal Code Act, LFN, 2004.”
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