Five persons accused of concealing the whereabouts of former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, have been arraigned by the Department of State Services (DSS) before a Federal High Court in Abuja.
The defendants were brought before Justice Peter Lifu on allegations that they helped hide Sylva after he was linked to an alleged plot to overthrow the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
The five defendants are Reuben Ayuba, Musa Mohammed, Friday Paul, Paganengigha Anagaha and Ayebaifife Suobite.
They were arraigned on a two-count charge bordering on allegedly concealing a fugitive and failing to disclose information to authorities.
All five defendants pleaded not guilty when the charges were read in court.
According to the prosecution, the accused persons became accessories after the fact by allegedly helping Sylva evade arrest after security agencies launched investigations into the alleged coup plot.
Sylva, a former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources under the administration of late President Muhammadu Buhari, is currently said to be on the run.
Authorities allege that he fled the country before details of the alleged coup plot became public.
The Federal Government had earlier declared him wanted and reportedly moved to identify and recover some of his assets.
During proceedings, prosecution counsel Emmanuel Orubor urged the court to remand the defendants and fix a date for trial. He argued that the prosecution was prepared to call witnesses to support its case.
However, lawyers representing the defendants asked the court to grant them bail.
Counsel to the 1st and 4th defendants, Sunusi Musa (SAN), requested bail on liberal terms.
Other defence lawyers, including Ibrahim Imadegbelo, I.G. Kelubia and E.C. Sogo, also made similar applications for their clients.
The defence team told the court that the defendants had remained in DSS custody since October 25, 2025.
They urged the court to consider their prolonged detention and grant them temporary freedom pending trial.
In his ruling, Justice Lifu held that the offences contained in the charge were bailable.
The court subsequently granted each defendant bail in the sum of N5 million with two sureties each in like sum.
Justice Lifu also imposed strict conditions for the bail.
The sureties must submit affidavits of means, provide evidence of three years’ tax clearance, show proof of legitimate livelihood, and deposit recent passport photographs.
The judge added that all sureties would undergo verification by the court registrar.
Pending the completion of the bail conditions, the defendants were ordered to remain in custody at Kuje Correctional Centre.
The court adjourned the matter till July 22 for trial.
One of the charges read:
“That you, Ruben Ayuba, Musa Mohammed, Friday Paul, Paganengigha Anagaha and Ayebaifie Suobite, adults, males, on or about April 28, 2026, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this court, did become accessories after the fact of felony by concealing the whereabouts of Timipre Sylva, who is a fugitive of the law, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 519 of the Criminal Code Act, LFN, 2004.”
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