Nigeria: Five charged with hiding ex-Governor Sylva amid coup plot allegations

Five individuals have been brought before a Nigerian court, accused of aiding former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva by concealing his location. The Department of State Services (DSS) alleges Sylva is a financier of a plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu's government and has declared him wanted.

Sylva, who previously served as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, reportedly fled the country before the alleged coup plot was exposed. The government is also seeking to confiscate some of his properties.

The five accused – Reuben Ayuba, Musa Mohammed, Friday Paul, Paganengigha Anagaha, and Ayebaifife Suobite – pleaded not guilty to the charges of being accessories after the fact. Their defense lawyers highlighted that the defendants had been in DSS custody since October 25, 2025, and requested bail on liberal terms.

Justice Peter Lifu acknowledged the charges as bailable offenses and granted each defendant bail amounting to N5 million. The bail conditions include providing two sureties, swearing an affidavit of means, submitting tax payment evidence, and showing proof of livelihood. The defendants will remain in Kuje prison until bail conditions are met. The trial is scheduled to begin on July 22.

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That you, Ruben Ayuba, Musa Mohammed, Friday Paul, Paganengigha Anagaha and Ayebaifie Suobite, adults, males, on or about April 28, 2026, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this court, did become accessories after t