The State Security Service (SSS) has arraigned five associates of former Bayelsa State Governor and former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, over allegations that they concealed his whereabouts after he was declared wanted in connection with an alleged coup plot.
The defendants — Reuben Ayuba, Musa Mohammed, Friday Paul, Paganengigha Anagaha and Ayebaifie Suobite — appeared before Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday. They pleaded not guilty to a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and allegedly concealing the whereabouts of a fugitive.
According to the prosecution, the defendants became accessories after the fact by allegedly helping to conceal Sylva's location on or about 28 April. The charges were brought under Sections 516 and 519 of the Criminal Code Act.
Following the arraignment, prosecution counsel Emmanuel Orubor asked the court to set a date for trial. Defence lawyers, including Senior Advocate of Nigeria Sanusi Musa, applied for bail on behalf of their clients.
Justice Lifu granted each defendant bail in the sum of N5 million with two sureties. The court directed each surety to provide an affidavit of means, tax clearance for the previous three years, proof of legitimate livelihood and recent passport photographs. The court registrar was also ordered to verify the sureties.
Pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions, the defendants were remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre. The case was adjourned to 22 July for the commencement of trial.
The case is linked to an ongoing investigation into an alleged coup plot against the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
Security agencies have previously alleged that Sylva played a role in financing the conspiracy. Investigators claimed he channelled N785 million through Purple Waves Limited, an Abuja-based construction company, while another suspect allegedly provided N50 million through a separate company, bringing the total alleged funding to N835 million.
Authorities also alleged that the plot involved plans to seize key government institutions and detain senior government officials, including the president, vice president and leaders of the National Assembly. The investigation reportedly involves more than 40 serving and retired military officers alongside several civilians.
Although Sylva was named in seven of the 13 counts filed by the Federal Government in a related case, he is not listed as a defendant in the ongoing trial involving six suspects facing charges of treason, terrorism, terrorism financing, money laundering and failure to disclose information.
The six defendants have pleaded not guilty. Proceedings in that case are currently focused on a trial-within-trial to determine whether their extra-judicial statements were made voluntarily and are admissible in court.
The Federal Government maintains that Sylva remains at large. He has consistently denied any involvement in the alleged coup plot and rejected all allegations against him.
Separately, 36 serving military officers implicated in the investigation are standing trial before a General Court Martial in Abuja.
