Anagha Seeks Court Order for Release from DSS Detention

Anagha, the brother of former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva, has filed a motion in the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking to compel the Department of State Services (DSS) to release him from detention. He has been in custody for 171 days, allegedly connected to his brother's purported coup attempt.

His lawyer, Mr. Micheal Jonathan Numan, argued that Anagha's detention violates the Terrorism Prevention Prohibition Act and the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria.

The court had previously granted a 60-day detention order to the DSS on November 17, 2025, for investigative purposes, which has now lapsed. Anagha's motion claims that the DSS has not filed any charges against him or the four other detainees, and he has been denied access to legal counsel and family members.

Justice Hauwa Joseph Yilwa has scheduled a ruling on the matter for April 23, 2025, while the DSS representative, Y. Umar, requested the court to dismiss the application.