Coup: 5 face trial over alleged plot to hide ex-gov Sylva

Department of State Services, DSS, yesterday, charged five persons allegedly connected with the former governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, for hiding his whereabouts following allegation of him being one of the financiers of the alleged plan to topple the administration of President Bola Tinubu through a coup d’état.

It was learnt that the former governor, Sylva, was reported to be on the run following allegation of him leaving the country before the plan was leaked out.

In addition, Sylva who also served as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources under the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, has been declared wanted by the federal government which has started taking actions against him including confiscation of some of his properties.

They arraigned before the court for failure to reveal Sylva’s whereabouts include Reuben Ayuba, Musa Mohammed, Friday Paul, Paganengigha Anagaha and Ayebaifife Suobite.

The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charge read to them by trial Justice Peter Lifu.

The charge states that the defendants committed an offence punishable under Section 519 of the Criminal Code Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 on April 28 by becoming accessories to the crime of the ex-governor.

Following the defendants’ pleas of innocence, the prosecution counsel, Emmanuel Orubor, applied for their remand and a trial date to enable the calling of witnesses to testify against them.

However, counsel to the 1st and 4th defendants (Ayuba and Anagaha), Mr. Sunusi Musa, SAN, prayed the court to release them on bail pending the determination of the case.

Likewise, counsel to the 2nd defendant (Mohammed), Ibrahim Imadegbelo; counsel to the 3rd defendant (Paul), I. G. Kelubia; and E. C. Sogo, who represented the 5th defendant (Suobite), also begged the court to grant their clients bail.

The defence lawyers drew the attention of the court to the fact that the defendants had been in the custody of the security agency since October 25, 2025.

They prayed for their release on bail on very liberal terms.

In his ruling, Justice Lifu held that the charge contained bailable offences.

Consequently, he granted the defendants bail in the sum of N5 million each, with two sureties each in like sum.

The court held that the sureties must swear to an affidavit of means; produce evidence of three years’ tax payment; show evidence of visible means of livelihood; and deposit their recent passport photographs.

Justice Lifu held that the identities of the sureties must be verified by the Registrar of the court, adding that pending the perfection of the bail conditions, the defendants should be remanded in Kuje prison.

The case was adjourned until July 22 for the commencement of 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.”