DSS Arraigns Five Nigerians For Allegedly Hiding Fugitive Ex-Governor Timipre Sylva’s Whereabouts Amid Alleged Coup Plot
DSS Arraigns Five Nigerians For Allegedly Hiding Fugitive Ex-Governor Timipre Sylva’s Whereabouts Amid Alleged Coup Plot
The agency accused them of committing offences contrary to Sections 519 and 516 of the Criminal Code Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN), 2004.
The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned five Nigerians before the Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations that they concealed the whereabouts of former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, whom the agency described as a fugitive from the law in connection with an alleged coup plot against President Bola Tinubu.
The defendants, Reuben Ayuba, Musa Mohammed, Friday Paul, Paganengigha Anagaha, and Ayebaifife Suobite, were brought before Justice Peter Lifu on Wednesday on a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and allegedly concealing information about Sylva’s whereabouts.
According to the charge filed by the DSS, the defendants allegedly became accessories after the fact of a felony by concealing the location of the former governor on or about April 28, 2026, in Abuja.
The agency accused them of committing offences contrary to Sections 519 and 516 of the Criminal Code Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN), 2004.
The prosecution alleged that the five men knowingly withheld information about Sylva, who the DSS described in the charge as “a fugitive from the law.”
When the charges were read, all five defendants pleaded not guilty.
Following their plea, counsel to the DSS, Emmanuel Orubor, urged the court to fix a date for trial, indicating that the prosecution was prepared to call witnesses to establish its case against the defendants.
However, defence lawyers immediately applied for their clients to be admitted to bail.
Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Sanusi Musa, who represented the first and fourth defendants, Reuben Ayuba and Paganengigha Anagaha, argued that his clients deserved bail on liberal terms.
Separate bail applications were also moved by Ibrahim Imadegbelo for the second defendant, Musa Mohammed; I.G. Kelubia for the third defendant, Friday Paul; and E.C. Sogo for the fifth defendant, Ayebaifife Suobite.
The defence lawyers informed the court that the defendants had remained in custody since October 25, 2025, and urged Justice Lifu to grant them bail pending the determination of the case.
In a brief ruling, Justice Lifu granted each defendant bail in the sum of N5 million with two sureties in like sum.
The court ordered that each surety must swear to an affidavit of means, provide evidence of payment of tax for the last three years, show proof of visible means of livelihood, and submit recent passport photographs.
Justice Lifu further directed that the identities of the sureties be verified by the court registrar.
Pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions, the judge ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
The court subsequently adjourned the matter until July 22, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
According to the two-count charge, the defendants are accused of becoming accessories after the fact by allegedly concealing the whereabouts of Timipre Sylva and conspiring among themselves to commit the alleged offence, contrary to the relevant provisions of the Criminal Code Act.
Former Bayelsa State Governor Sylva was implicated in an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu following Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) investigations.
He was accused of being a major financier of the conspiracy and faces treason and terrorism charges, though he remains at large.
Intelligence reports and prosecution witnesses allege Sylva funneled nearly ₦1 billion in multiple tranches through a Bureau De Change operator and private construction companies.
Investigators claim the plot was initially scheduled to disrupt the presidential inauguration on May 29, 2023, but was paused due to inadequate funds before being revived in 2024.
In late 2025, military personnel raided Sylva’s residences in Abuja and Bayelsa, resulting in the arrest of his brother.
The Federal Government filed a 13-count charge before the Federal High Court in Abuja, listing Sylva as the seventh defendant alongside a retired major general, naval officers, and others
Sylva’s media aides have vehemently denied all involvement in the plot, describing the accusations and the military raids as politically motivated.
