DSS Arraigns Five Over Alleged Concealment of Timipre Sylva as the Department of State Services (DSS) intensified legal proceedings in an ongoing investigation into an alleged coup plot against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The five defendants were arraigned before Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday over allegations that they concealed information regarding the whereabouts of former Bayelsa State Governor and former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, whom prosecutors described in court documents as a fugitive in connection with the investigation.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them by the DSS.
According to the charge filed before the court, the accused persons allegedly became accessories after the fact by concealing the whereabouts of Timipre Sylva on April 28, 2026.
The prosecution alleged that the offence is contrary to Section 519 of the Criminal Code Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The DSS also accused the defendants of conspiracy to commit a felony by allegedly concealing information concerning the former minister’s whereabouts, an offence said to be contrary to Section 516 of the Criminal Code Act.
The charges form part of an ongoing investigation by the Department of State Services into an alleged coup plot. The allegations against Timipre Sylva have not been determined by the court, and no conviction has been recorded.
Defence Lawyers Seek Bail
Following the defendants’ not guilty plea, counsel to the DSS, Emmanuel Orubor, requested the court to fix a date for trial so that the prosecution could begin calling witnesses.
Lawyers representing the five defendants subsequently filed separate applications requesting that their clients be granted bail.
Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Sunusi Musa, who represented the first and fourth defendants, argued that his clients had remained in custody since October 25, 2025, urging the court to grant them bail on liberal terms.
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 team maintained that continued detention was unnecessary while awaiting trial.
Court Grants Bail
After hearing submissions from both parties, Justice Peter Lifu granted bail to each of the five defendants.
The court fixed bail at ₦5 million each, with two sureties in like sum for every defendant.
Justice Lifu directed that each surety must:
- Swear to an affidavit of means.
- Provide evidence of three years’ tax payments.
- Present proof of a legitimate means of livelihood.
- Submit recent passport photographs.
The judge also ordered that the identities of the sureties be verified by the court registrar before the bail conditions could be perfected.
Pending the fulfilment of the bail requirements, the defendants were ordered to remain in custody at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
Trial Begins July 22
Justice Peter Lifu subsequently adjourned the matter until July 22, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
The prosecution is expected to begin presenting witnesses and evidence to support the allegations contained in the charge.
The case is likely to attract significant national attention because of its connection to an alleged coup investigation involving a prominent political figure.
As proceedings continue, the court will determine the merits of the allegations based on the evidence presented by both the prosecution and the defence.
Under Nigerian law, every accused person is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a competent court.
