FG to arraign Former Governor’s brother, three others in Abuja over coup plot
FG to arraign Former Governor’s brother, three others in Abuja over coup plot
The Federal Government is set to arraign Paganengigha Anagha, younger brother of former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, over his alleged involvement in a 2025 coup plot against President Bola Tinubu.
The arraignment is scheduled to take place on Monday at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Also billed to stand trial alongside Anagha are Sylva’s driver, Musa Mohammed; a plainclothes police operative, Ayuba Reuben; and an escort driver, Friday Lusa Paul.
Sources within the office of the Attorney General of the Federation confirmed that the defendants would be docked at Court 12, although details of the charges had yet to be disclosed as of press time.
The development follows allegations that Sylva was linked to a failed plot to overthrow the administration of Tinubu in late 2025. The former Bayelsa State governor was reportedly accused of financing the operation with funds traced to his accounts.
Security operatives, including personnel of the military and the Defence Intelligence Agency, had in October 2025 raided properties linked to Sylva in Abuja and Bayelsa State, leading to the arrest of his younger brother and others.
At the time, Sylva was said to be outside the country and subsequently travelled across several nations, including Senegal and Argentina, amid reports that he was evading arrest.
The alleged coup plot was also said to have led to the detention of about 16 military officers accused of holding clandestine meetings aimed at toppling the civilian government.
Reacting to the allegations, Sylva’s media aide, Julius Bokoru, dismissed the claims, describing them as politically motivated and targeted at undermining his principal ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He maintained that Sylva had no involvement in any coup plot, insisting that the former minister remained a committed democrat and supporter of the Tinubu administration.
Bokoru also stated that Sylva was abroad for medical treatment at the time of the allegations.
Meanwhile, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had earlier declared the former minister wanted in November 2025 over a separate $14.8m fraud investigation.
