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 — appeared before Justice Peter Lifu on a two-count charge of allegedly becoming accessories after the fact by concealing the whereabouts of Sylva, whom the prosecution described as a fugitive, and conspiring to commit the offence.
According to the DSS, the alleged offences were committed on April 28, 2026, contrary to Sections 519 and 516 of the Criminal Code Act.
The five defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following their arraignment, counsel to the DSS, Emmanuel Orubor, urged the court to fix a date for trial, while defence counsel separately applied for bail.
Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Sanusi Musa, represented the first and fourth defendants, Reuben Ayuba and Paganengigha Anagaha. Ibrahim Imadegbelo appeared for Musa Mohammed, I. G. Kelubia represented Friday Paul, while E. C. Sogo appeared for Ayebaifie Suobite.
The defence lawyers informed the court that their clients had remained in DSS custody since October 25, 2025, and appealed for bail on liberal terms.
In his ruling, Justice Lifu granted each defendant bail in the sum of ₦5 million with two sureties in like sum.
The court ordered that each surety must depose to an affidavit of means, provide evidence of three years’ tax clearance, establish a verifiable means of livelihood and submit recent passport photographs. The registrar was also directed to verify the identities of the sureties.
Pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions, the defendants were remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre. The matter was adjourned until July 22 for the commencement of trial.
The prosecution alleged that the defendants became accessories after the fact by concealing the whereabouts of Timipre Sylva, whom it described as a fugitive, and conspired to frustrate efforts to apprehend him.
The arraignment is the latest development in the Federal Government’s prosecution arising from the alleged October 2025 coup plot. The government has accused the former Bayelsa State governor and six others of sponsoring the alleged conspiracy to overthrow the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Following Sylva’s declaration as wanted, the government also charged his younger brother, Moses Sylva, and several others with allegedly concealing information about his whereabouts to frustrate his arrest.
Sylva has consistently denied the allegations.
Authorities have maintained that intelligence uncovered a violent plot allegedly designed to topple the government, with plans to assassinate the President, the Vice President and key leaders of the National Assembly during the October 1, 2025 Independence Day celebrations.
Among those standing trial over the alleged conspiracy are Col. Mohammed Ma’aji, retired Maj. Gen. Mohammed Gana, retired Navy Capt. Victor Erasmus Ochegobia and serving Police Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim. Several serving military officers are also facing separate court-martial proceedings.
The Defence Headquarters has confirmed the arrest of more than 16 officers in connection with the alleged mutiny, while treason and terrorism trials continue before the Federal High Court.
THE PUNCH
