The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned five Nigerians before the Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations that they concealed the whereabouts of former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, who is accused of masterminding an alleged coup attempt against President Bola Tinubu.
The five defendants were arraigned on Wednesday before Justice Peter Lifu on a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and allegedly concealing the whereabouts of a fugitive.
According to the charge, the defendants, on April 28, 2026, became accessories after the fact by allegedly concealing the whereabouts of Sylva, whom the DSS described as a fugitive from justice.
The alleged offence is said to contravene Section 519 of the Criminal Code Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The DSS also accused the defendants of conspiring to commit a felony by concealing Sylva’s whereabouts, an offence punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code Act.
All five defendants pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them.
Counsel to the DSS, Emmanuel Orubor, urged the court to fix a date for the commencement of trial to enable the prosecution call its witnesses.
However, counsel to the defendants applied for bail.
Sunusi Musa (SAN), who represented the first and fourth defendants, argued that his clients were entitled to bail. Similar applications were made by Ibrahim Imadegbelo for the second defendant, I.G. Kelubia for the third defendant, and E.C. Sogo for the fifth defendant.
The defence lawyers told the court that their clients had remained in DSS custody since October 25, 2025, and urged Justice Lifu to grant them bail on liberal terms.
In a brief ruling, Justice Lifu admitted each defendant to bail in the sum of N5 million with two sureties in like sum.
The court ordered that each surety must depose to an affidavit of means, provide evidence of three years’ tax clearance, show proof of a verifiable source of livelihood, and submit a recent passport photograph.
Justice Lifu also directed the court registrar to verify the identities of the sureties.
Pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions, the judge ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
The matter was adjourned until July 22 for the commencement of trial.
