The Department of State Services (DSS) has charged five accused friends of former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, before a Federal High Court in Abuja, for allegedly concealing his whereabouts.
The defendants, Reuben Ayuba, Musa Mohammed, Friday Paul, Paganengigha Anagaha and Ayebaifife Suobite, were charged before Justice Peter Lifu on a two-count allegation of allegedly aiding Sylva to elude arrest after he was proclaimed wanted by security services.
The prosecution stated that the accused defendants knew the former governor was wanted in connection with an ongoing investigation into an alleged plot to take over the administration of President Bola Tinubu but they concealed his location. The claims have not been tested in a court of law and Sylva has not been convicted of any offence.
The five denied the charges.
After their arraignment, Justice Lifu granted each of the defendants bail to the tune of N5 million with two sureties in similar sum. The court ordered that, sureties must prove that they paid taxes, swear to affidavits of means and satisfy other conditions to be confirmed by the court registrar.
The suspects were detained in Kuje Correctional Centre, pending the completion of the bail terms.
The matter was then delayed until the 22nd of July 2026 for commencement of trial.
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