The Department of State Services (DSS) arraigns five people before the Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations that they concealed the whereabouts of Timipre Sylva, a former Bayelsa State governor. According to the DSS reports, Sylva is linked to an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration, and he is described as a fugitive or declared wanted in connection with the case. The charges are based on conduct allegedly committed on or around April 28 in Abuja, where the accused are said to have acted as accessories after the fact of felony by hiding Sylva’s location.
All accounts state that the five defendants—Reuben Ayuba, Musa Mohammed, Friday Paul, Paganengigha Anagaha, and Ayebaifie Suobite—plead not guilty. After the plea, DSS counsel seeks a trial date, while defence counsel moves for bail. The court grants bail to each defendant at N5 million, with two sureties per person, requiring the sureties to be residents of Abuja and to provide tax clearance certificates.
The outlets also reference earlier federal court proceedings in April in which six suspects were arraigned over allegations of plotting a coup, with Sylva mentioned in that charge though not listed as a defendant at the time.
