By John Azu
The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned five associates of former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and former Bayelsa State Governor, Chief Timipre Sylva, before the Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations of concealing his whereabouts.
The defendants — Reuben Ayuba, Musa Mohammed, Friday Paul, Paganemgigha Anagaha and Ayebaifife Suobite — were arraigned on a two-count charge bordering on allegedly becoming accessories after the fact of a felony and conspiracy.
The prosecution alleged that the defendants, on or about April 28, 2026, concealed the whereabouts of Sylva, who was described as a fugitive of the law following his declaration as wanted by the Federal Government over allegations of sponsoring a coup plot against President Bola Tinubu. The government had also announced the forfeiture of properties allegedly linked to him.
The charges were filed under Sections 519 and 516 of the Criminal Code Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
When the charges were read in court, all five defendants pleaded not guilty.
Following their plea, counsel to the DSS, Emmanuel Orubor, urged the court to adjourn the matter for trial and to allow the prosecution to begin calling witnesses.
Defence counsel, however, sought the release of the defendants on bail. Counsel to Ayuba and Anagaha, Sunusi Musa (SAN); counsel to Mohammed, Ibrahim Imadegbelo; and counsel to Paul and Suobite, I.G. Kelubia and E.C. Sogo, respectively, prayed the court to admit their clients to bail on liberal terms.
Count one of the charge reads:
“That you, Reuben Ayuba, Musa Mohammed, Friday Paul, Paganemgigha Anagaha and Ayebaife Suobite, adults, males, on or about the 28th day of April, 2026, In Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did become accessories after the fact of felony by concealing the whereabouts of Timiprey Silva, who is a fugitive of the law and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 519 of the Criminal Code Act LFN, 2004.”
Count two states:
“That you, Reuben Ayuba, Musa Mohammed, Friday Paul, Paganemgigha Anagaha and Ayebaife Suobite, adults, males, on or about the 28th day of April, 2026, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, did conspire to commit a felony to wit: concealing the whereabouts of Timiprey Silva, who is a fugitive of the law and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 516 of the Criminal Code LFN, 2004.”
After hearing submissions from both parties, Justice Peter Lifu adjourned the case until July 22, 2026, for hearing.