The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned five men before the Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations that they conspired to conceal the whereabouts of former Bayelsa State Governor, Mr Timipre Sylva.
The defendants were brought before Justice Peter Lifu on Wednesday on a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and obstruction of justice.
The accused persons include Reuben Ayuba, Musa Mohammed, Friday Paul, Paganengigha Anagaha, and Ayebaifie Suobite.
According to court proceedings, the DSS alleged that the defendants failed to disclose information relating to the location of the former governor, who is currently said to be at large.
The case is connected to a wider ongoing prosecution involving alleged plans to destabilise the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
Sylva, a former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, is not directly named as a defendant in the current charge but is listed as being at large in the prosecution records.
He is also linked to a separate ongoing trial before another Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.
In that related case, six individuals are standing trial over allegations of involvement in a plot to overthrow the Federal Government.
Those defendants include retired Major-General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, retired Navy Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani.
The Federal Government has filed a 13-count charge in that separate case marked FHC/ABJ/CR/206/2026.
At Wednesday’s proceedings, the five defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges filed against them in case number FHC/ABJ/CR/299/2026.
Prosecution counsel, E.G. Orubor, urged the court to fix a date for trial in order to present the case against the accused persons.
The defence team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Sunusi Musa, along with other lawyers, moved bail applications on behalf of the defendants.
Justice Peter Lifu granted bail to each defendant in the sum of ₦5 million.
The court also ordered that each accused person must provide two sureties who must be residents of Abuja and present valid tax clearance certificates.
The ruling followed arguments from both the prosecution and defence during the bail hearing.
After granting bail, the judge adjourned the case until July 22, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
Court documents indicated that count one alleges that the defendants acted as accessories after the fact of felony by concealing the whereabouts of Mr Timipre Sylva.
The offence is said to contravene Section 519 of the Criminal Code Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Count two alleges conspiracy to commit a felony by withholding information about the alleged fugitive.
It is reportedly contrary to Section 516 of the same Criminal Code Act.
The case adds to ongoing political and security-related legal proceedings currently before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
