Five associates of former minister of state for petroleum and ex-Bayelsa governor, Timipre Sylva, have been arraigned in Abuja on charges of concealing his whereabouts, as Nigerian authorities press ahead with an expansive investigation into an alleged coup plot against President Bola Tinubu.
The defendants – Reuben Ayuba, Musa Mohammed, Friday Paul, Paganengigha Anagaha and Ayebaifie Suobite – appeared before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday on a two-count charge brought by the Department of State Services (DSS).
Prosecutors alleged that the five men became “accessories after the fact” by concealing the whereabouts of Sylva, whom they described as a fugitive, and conspired to frustrate efforts to apprehend him.
According to the charges, the alleged offences were committed on 28 April 2026 and contravene provisions of Nigeria’s Criminal Code relating to harbouring a suspect and conspiracy to commit a felony.
All five defendants pleaded not guilty.
Following the arraignment, counsel for the DSS, Emmanuel Orubor, asked the court to fix a date for trial, while defence lawyers applied for bail, arguing that their clients had been in DSS custody since October 2025.
In a ruling, Justice Peter Lifu granted each defendant bail in the sum of ₦5m, with two sureties required to provide affidavits of means, evidence of three years of tax payments and proof of a verifiable source of income.
Pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions, the defendants were remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre. The case was adjourned until 22 July for the commencement of trial.
The prosecution’s case forms part of a wider security investigation that has engulfed several former and serving military officers and political figures.
The federal government has accused Sylva and six others of sponsoring an alleged plot to overthrow the administration of Bola Tinubu. Following his declaration as wanted, authorities also filed charges against his younger brother, Moses Sylva, and others, alleging that they withheld information to obstruct his arrest.
Sylva has denied any wrongdoing.
According to Nigerian authorities, intelligence agencies uncovered what they described as a major conspiracy to violently overthrow the government in October 2025. Prosecutors allege that the plot included plans to assassinate the president, vice-president and senior leaders of the National Assembly.
The alleged conspiracy was reportedly timed to coincide with Nigeria’s Independence Day celebrations on 1 October 2025, though security agencies said they became aware of the plans before they could be executed.
Among those standing trial in connection with the alleged coup plot are Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji, retired Major General Mohammed Gana, retired Navy Captain Victor Erasmus Ochegobia and Police Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim. Several serving military officers are also facing internal disciplinary proceedings and court-martial panels.
The Defence Headquarters has confirmed the arrest of more than 16 officers in connection with the alleged mutiny, while treason and terrorism trials linked to the case continue before the Federal High Court.
The latest prosecutions underscore the widening reach of an investigation that has evolved from an alleged coup conspiracy into a broader crackdown on those accused of aiding or concealing individuals sought by the state.
