Five associates of former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Timipre Sylva have been arraigned for allegedly concealing his whereabouts after he was declared wanted in connection with an alleged coup plot.

The associates, Reuben Ayuba, Musa Mohammed, Friday Paul, Paganengigha Anagaha, and Ayebaifie Suobite, were arraigned before Judge Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday.

The five defendants, who claimed to have been detained since October last year, pleaded not guilty to two counts of concealing the whereabouts of a fugitive and conspiracy.

The State Security Service (SSS) alleged that the defendants became accessories after the fact by concealing Mr Sylva's whereabouts on or about April 28.

The prosecution said the alleged offenses contravened Sections 519 and 516 of the Criminal Code Act.

The court was told that the five defendants applied for bail through their lawyers, led by Senior Advocates of Nigeria Sanusi Musa and Ibrahim Imadegbelo.

Bail was granted in the sum of N5 million with two sureties, with the condition that each surety must swear an affidavit of means, provide evidence of payment of tax for the preceding three years, show proof of a legitimate means of livelihood, and submit recent passport photographs.

The case has been adjourned until July 22 for the commencement of trial.

Timipre Sylva, a former Governor of Bayelsa State, was declared wanted by the SSS in connection with an alleged coup plot against President Bola Tinubu's administration.

The SSS alleged that Mr Sylva was one of the principal financiers of the plot, which involved more than 40 serving and retired military officers as well as civilians.

The plot, according to investigators, involved an elaborate plan to storm the Presidential Villa in Abuja, seize the seat of power, and capture President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.

Mr Sylva has consistently denied any involvement in the alleged coup plot and rejected the allegations against him.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has already arraigned six defendants in a separate case related to the alleged coup plot.

The six defendants, including Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, a retired major general, Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, a retired navy captain, Ahmed Ibrahim, a police inspector, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani, an Islamic cleric, pleaded not guilty to 13 counts of treason, terrorism, terrorism financing, money laundering, and failure to disclose information.

The case has progressed to a trial-within-trial to determine whether the written extra-judicial statements credited to the defendants were made voluntarily.

The outcome of the trial-within-trial will determine if the statements are admissible as evidence.

Meanwhile, 36 serving military officers implicated in the investigation are facing trial before a General Court Martial in Abuja.

The SSS said Mr Sylva has remained on the run since then.

Mr Sylva has consistently denied any involvement in the alleged coup plot and rejected the allegations against him.

Key Facts:

  • The five defendants, Reuben Ayuba, Musa Mohammed, Friday Paul, Paganengigha Anagaha, and Ayebaifie Suobite, were arraigned before Judge Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
  • The five defendants pleaded not guilty to two counts of concealing the whereabouts of a fugitive and conspiracy.
  • The five defendants were granted bail in the sum of N5 million with two sureties.
  • The case has been adjourned until July 22 for the commencement of trial.
  • Timipre Sylva has consistently denied any involvement in the alleged coup plot and rejected the allegations against him.