The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned five associates of former Bayelsa State Governor and former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, before the Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations of concealing his whereabouts.
CDA News Nigeria reports that the five defendants—Reuben Ayuba, Musa Mohammed, Friday Paul, Paganengigha Anagaha, and Ayebaifie Suobite—were brought before Justice Peter Lifu on a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and allegedly concealing the whereabouts of Sylva, whom the prosecution described as a fugitive. They all pleaded not guilty to the charges.
CDA News Nigeria gathered that counsel for the DSS asked the court to fix a date for trial, while defence lawyers sought bail, arguing that their clients had remained in DSS custody since October 2025. Justice Lifu subsequently granted each defendant bail in the sum of ₦5 million with two sureties and ordered their remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions. The case was adjourned until July 22 for the commencement of trial.
The arraignment is connected to an ongoing Federal Government case involving allegations against Sylva. The former minister has consistently denied any wrongdoing, while the charges against the defendants remain before the court.
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