The State Security Service (SSS) has arraigned five associates of former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva before the Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations of concealing his whereabouts after he was declared wanted in connection with an alleged coup plot against President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The defendants, identified as Reuben Ayuba, Musa Mohammed, Friday Paul, Paganengigha Anagaha and Ayebaifie Suobite, appeared before Justice Peter Lifu on Wednesday, where they pleaded not guilty to a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and allegedly hiding the whereabouts of a fugitive.
According to the prosecution, the defendants allegedly became accessories after the fact by helping to conceal Sylva’s location on or about April 28. The offences were said to be contrary to Sections 516 and 519 of the Criminal Code Act.
During the proceedings, the prosecution counsel, Emmanuel Orubor, asked the court to fix a date for the commencement of trial and the presentation of witnesses.
Lawyers representing the defendants subsequently applied for bail, urging the court to grant their clients release on liberal terms.
In his ruling, Justice Lifu admitted each of the defendants to bail in the sum of N5 million with two sureties.
The court directed that each surety must provide an affidavit of means, evidence of tax payment for the previous three years, proof of a legitimate source of income and recent passport photographs. The registrar was also ordered to verify the identities of the sureties.
Pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions, the judge ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
The case was adjourned until July 22 for the commencement of trial.
The five defendants had earlier claimed in a lawsuit filed in April that they were aides and domestic workers of Timipre Sylva and had been in detention since October 2025.
The case is linked to an ongoing investigation into an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Security investigators have previously alleged that Sylva played a key financial role in the conspiracy by providing funds through an Abuja-based construction company.
Investigators claimed that N785 million was allegedly channelled through Purple Waves Limited, while another suspect reportedly moved an additional N50 million through a separate company, bringing the total alleged funding to N835 million.
Authorities also alleged that the suspected plot involved plans to storm the Presidential Villa in Abuja and seize key government officials, including the President, Vice President, Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives.
The alleged conspiracy is said to involve more than 40 serving and retired military officers as well as civilians.
Although Timipre Sylva was named in several counts filed by the Federal Government, he has not been listed as a defendant in the ongoing trial involving six accused persons facing charges of treason, terrorism, terrorism financing, money laundering and failure to disclose information.
Those six defendants have all pleaded not guilty, while the court is currently conducting a trial-within-trial to determine whether their extra-judicial statements were made voluntarily before they can be admitted as evidence.
The Federal Government maintains that Sylva remains at large, while the former governor has repeatedly denied any involvement in the alleged coup plot and rejected all allegations against him.
Separately, 36 serving military officers linked to the investigation are currently facing trial before a General Court Martial in Abuja.
