DSS Arraigns Five Over Alleged Concealment of Timipre Sylva in Coup Probe

The Department of State Services (DSS) on Wednesday arraigned five associates of former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva before the Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations that they concealed his whereabouts after he was declared wanted in connection with an alleged coup plot against President Bola Tinubu's administration.

The defendants, Reuben Ayuba, Musa Mohammed, Friday Paul, Paganengigha Anagaha and Ayebaifie Suobite, appeared before Justice Peter Lifu on a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and allegedly concealing the whereabouts of a fugitive.

They all pleaded not guilty to the charges.

According to the prosecution, the defendants allegedly became accessories after the fact by concealing Sylva's whereabouts on or about April 28. The DSS said the alleged offences contravened Sections 516 and 519 of the Criminal Code Act.

Following the arraignment, DSS counsel Emmanuel Orubor asked the court to fix a date for the commencement of trial.

Lawyers representing the defendants, however, urged the court to admit their clients to bail on liberal terms.

In his ruling, Justice Lifu granted each defendant bail in the sum of ₦5 million with two sureties.

The court ordered that each surety must swear to an affidavit of means, provide evidence of tax payment for the preceding three years, show proof of a legitimate means of livelihood and submit recent passport photographs. The court registrar was also directed to verify the identities of the sureties.

Pending the perfection of their bail conditions, the defendants were remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre.

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

Background

It was gathered that security agencies investigating the alleged coup plot identified Sylva as one of the persons of interest in the ongoing investigation.

Investigators have alleged that ₦785 million was channelled through Purple Waves Limited, an Abuja-based construction company, to finance the alleged conspiracy. Another suspect was also alleged to have transferred ₦50 million through a separate company, bringing the total alleged funding to ₦835 million.

Authorities also alleged that the conspirators planned to storm the Presidential Villa in Abuja and seize key government officials, including President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas.

The alleged conspiracy is said to involve more than 40 serving and retired military officers as well as civilians.

Although Sylva was named in several counts contained in the government's case, he was not listed as a defendant in the ongoing trial involving six other suspects facing charges of treason, terrorism, terrorism financing, money laundering and failure to disclose information before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Those defendants include retired Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, retired Navy Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, Police Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Goni and Islamic cleric Abdulkadir Sani. They have all pleaded not guilty.

The trial is currently at the stage of a trial-within-trial to determine whether the extra-judicial statements obtained from the defendants were made voluntarily and are admissible as evidence.

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

Sylva has consistently denied any involvement in the alleged coup plot and rejected all allegations against him. Meanwhile, the DSS maintains that he remains wanted in connection with its investigation.