DSS Arraigns Five for Concealing Timipre Sylva's Whereabouts

The Department of State Services (DSS) arraigned five individuals—Reuben Ayuba, Musa Moham, Fridai Paul, Paganengigha Anagaha, and Ayebaifif Suobit—before the Federal High Court in Abuja on charges of concealing information regarding the whereabouts of Timipre Sylva, a former governor of Bayelsa State and Minister of Petroleum. The charges stem from an alleged financial conspiracy to abort a coup attempt against President Bola Tinubu.

The accused were charged with being accessories to a felony for concealing Sylva's whereabouts, classified as a fugitive, in violation of Section 519 of the Criminal Code Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004. They pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The DSS, represented by lawyer Emmanuel Orubor, requested a trial date, while the defendants filed bail applications. Justice Peter Lifu granted bail of N5 million each, requiring two sureties of the same amount and additional conditions.

The accused were remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre, with the trial scheduled to commence on July 22.