Five Associates of Timipre Sylva Charged Over Alleged Concealment

The State Security Service (SSS) on Wednesday brought five associates of former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

They appeared before Judge Peter Lifu for allegedly hiding Mr Sylva’s location after he was declared wanted in connection with an alleged coup plot against President Bola Tinubu’s government.

The accused are Reuben Ayuba, Musa Mohammed, Friday Paul, Paganengigha Anagaha, and Ayebaifie Suobite. They pleaded not guilty to two charges: concealing a fugitive and conspiracy.

In April, the five defendants, described as aides and domestic workers for Mr Sylva, filed a suit seeking an order for their release from custody. They claimed they had been held since October last year.

One of the charges states that the defendants became accessories after the fact by hiding Mr Sylva’s location around 28 April. The prosecution said these actions violated Sections 519 and 516 of the Criminal Code Act.

After the charges were read, the prosecution lawyer, Emmanuel Orubor, asked the court to set a date for the SSS to begin its case by calling witnesses.

The defendants then requested bail through their lawyers. Sanusi Musa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), represented the first and fourth defendants, Messrs Ayuba and Anagaha. Ibrahim Imadegbelo represented Mr Mohammed, the second defendant, while I.G. Kelubia stood for Friday Paul. E.C. Sogo appeared for Mr Suobite.

The defence lawyers urged the court to grant bail on favorable terms. In a brief ruling, Judge Lifu approved bail for each defendant at N5 million with two sureties.

The judge instructed each surety to swear an affidavit of means, show proof of tax payment for the last three years, provide evidence of a legitimate source of income, and submit recent passport photographs. He also ordered the court registrar to confirm the identities of the sureties.

Until the bail conditions are met, Judge Lifu ordered that the defendants be held at the Kuje Correctional Centre. The judge adjourned the case until 22 July for the trial to start.

Background

PREMIUM TIMES has reported on Mr Sylva’s alleged involvement in the failed coup plot against President Bola Tinubu’s government. In a report from February, the newspaper revealed that security agencies identified Mr Sylva as one of the main financiers of the alleged coup.

Investigators claim he funneled N785 million through Purple Waves Limited, a construction company in Abuja, to support the conspiracy. The company’s secretary, John Ebokpo, was later questioned by security agents. They also alleged that another suspect transferred N50 million through a different company, making the total alleged funding N835 million.

PREMIUM TIMES also published another report detailing what investigators called a detailed plan by the alleged conspirators to attack the Presidential Villa in Abuja. They aimed to take over power and capture President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.

More than 40 serving and retired military officers, along with civilians, were allegedly involved in this conspiracy. Mr Sylva was named in seven out of the 13 charges filed by the federal government, but he was not charged as a defendant in the case currently before Judge Joyce Abdulmalik at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

In April, six defendants were arraigned before Judge Abdulmalik on 13 counts of treason, terrorism, terrorism financing, money laundering, and failing to disclose information. They include retired Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana and retired Navy Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, among others. They all pleaded not guilty.

The case has moved to a trial-within-trial ordered by the judge to check if the written statements from the defendants were made voluntarily. This will decide if the statements can be used as evidence.

The government claims Mr Sylva has been on the run since then. He has always denied being part of the alleged coup plot and rejected all allegations against him.

Meanwhile, 36 military officers who are part of the investigation are facing trial before a General Court Martial in Abuja.