The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned five alleged associates of former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva for allegedly concealing his whereabouts after he was named as a financier of a purported plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The defendants Reuben Ayuba, Musa Mohammed, Friday Paul, Paganengigha Anagaha and Ayebaifife Suobite appeared before Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday.
According to the DSS, Sylva fled the country after details of the alleged coup plot emerged.
The former governor, who also served as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources under former President Muhammadu Buhari, has since been declared wanted, while the Federal Government has reportedly begun moves to seize some of his identified assets.
The five defendants were accused of helping to conceal Sylva’s whereabouts, an offence the prosecution said makes them accessories after the fact under Section 519 of the Criminal Code Act.
They pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge.
Following their plea, prosecuting counsel Emmanuel Orubor asked the court to remand the defendants pending trial.
However, defence lawyers urged the court to admit them to bail, noting that the accused persons had remained in DSS custody since October 25, 2025.
Delivering his ruling, Justice Lifu held that the offences were bailable and granted each defendant bail in the sum of ₦5 million with two sureties in like amount.
The court directed that each surety must provide an affidavit of means, evidence of three years’ tax payment, proof of a legitimate source of income and recent passport photographs.
The Registrar was also ordered to verify the identities of the sureties.
Pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions, the judge ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
The case was adjourned until July 22 for the commencement of trial.
One of the charges alleges that the defendants, on or about April 28, 2026, knowingly concealed the whereabouts of Timipre Sylva, whom the prosecution described as a fugitive from the law.
