DSS arraigns five over alleged concealment of ex-Bayelsa governor Timipre Sylva
The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned five persons before the Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations of concealing the whereabouts of former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, who was described in court documents as a fugitive.
The suspects, Reuben Ayuba, Musa Mohammed, Friday Paul, Paganengigha Anagaha and Ayebaifie Suobite, were brought before the court on Wednesday on a two-count charge.
According to the prosecution, the defendants allegedly concealed Sylva’s whereabouts on or about April 28, 2026, in Abuja, thereby becoming “accessories after the fact of felony.”
The five defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Counsel to the DSS, E.G. Orubor, requested the court to fix a trial date to enable the prosecution present its case. However, defence lawyers urged the court to grant their clients bail.
Justice Peter Lifu granted the bail applications, admitting each defendant to bail in the sum of N5 million with two sureties. The judge ordered that the sureties must be residents of Abuja and provide valid tax clearance certificates.
Background
The latest development is connected to an alleged coup plot case filed by the Federal Government in April 2026.
Six suspects, including retired Major General Muhammed Ibrahim Gana, retired Navy Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, serving police inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni and Abdulkadir Sani, were earlier arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja on a 13-count charge bordering on an alleged conspiracy to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The defendants, who appeared before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Although Timipre Sylva, a former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and former governor of Bayelsa State, was mentioned in the charge as one of the alleged conspirators, he was not listed among the defendants standing trial. Prosecutors accused him of conspiring with the six defendants in the alleged plot to overthrow the Federal Government.
