The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned five associates of former Minister of Petroleum 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, Paganengigha Anagaha and Ayebaifie Suobite were brought before Justice Peter Lifu on a two-count charge of allegedly becoming accessories after the fact of a felony and conspiring to conceal the whereabouts of Silva, whom the prosecution described as a fugitive.
According to the charge, the alleged offences were committed on April 28, 2026, and are said to be contrary to Sections 519 and 516 of the Criminal Code Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The DSS alleged that the defendants concealed information relating to Silva’s whereabouts following an investigation into an alleged plot to overthrow the administration of President Bola Tinubu. The agency further claimed that Silva had been declared wanted in connection with its investigation.
The allegations have not been proven in court, and there was no indication during the proceedings that Silva had responded publicly to the claims.
All five defendants pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them.
Counsel to the DSS, Emmanuel Orubor, urged the court to fix a date for the commencement of trial and for the prosecution to call its witnesses.
Lawyers representing the defendants, including Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Sunusi Musa, Ibrahim Imadegbelo, I.G. Kelubia and E.C. Sogo, separately applied for bail. They informed the court that their clients had remained in custody since October 25, 2025, and urged Justice Lifu to grant them bail on liberal terms.
In a brief ruling, Justice Lifu admitted each defendant to bail in the sum of N5 million with two sureties in a like sum.
The court directed that each surety must depose an affidavit of means, provide evidence of three years’ tax payments, show proof of a verifiable means of livelihood and submit recent passport photographs. The judge also ordered the court registrar to verify the identities of the sureties.
Pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions, Justice Lifu ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
The matter was adjourned until July 22, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
