By Opeyemi Adelakun
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 of concealing his whereabouts.
The defendants — Reuben Ayuba, Musa Mohammed, Friday Paul, Paganengigha Anagaha and Ayebaifie Suobite — appeared before Justice Peter Lifu on a two-count charge of allegedly concealing the whereabouts of Sylva, whom the prosecution described as a fugitive.
According to the DSS, the defendants became accessories after the fact by allegedly concealing Sylva’s whereabouts on April 28, 2026, contrary to Section 519 of the Criminal Code Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The prosecution also accused them of conspiring to commit a felony by concealing the whereabouts of the former Bayelsa State governor, contrary to Section 516 of the Criminal Code.
All five defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following their plea, counsel to the DSS, Emmanuel Orubor, asked the court to fix a date for trial, while defence lawyers separately applied for bail on behalf of their clients.
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 defendants.
The defence informed the court that the accused persons had remained in DSS custody since October 25, 2025, and urged the court to admit them to bail on liberal terms.
In his ruling, Justice Lifu granted each defendant bail in the sum of N5 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 means 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 case until July 22 for the commencement of trial.
Court documents allege that the defendants deliberately concealed Sylva’s whereabouts after he was declared wanted by the Federal Government.
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, authorities filed separate charges against Sylva’s younger brother, Moses Sylva, and other associates, accusing them of frustrating efforts to arrest the former minister by concealing information about his whereabouts.
Sylva has denied all allegations against him.
The alleged coup plot, which investigators said was planned for October 2025, has resulted in treason and terrorism charges against several military personnel and other suspects.
Authorities alleged the conspiracy included plans to assassinate the President, the Vice President and key leaders of the National Assembly before security agencies foiled the plot. The Defence Headquarters has since confirmed the arrests, while related trials continue before the Federal High Court.
Leave a Reply