The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday adjourned until October 5, 2026, the trial of five aides of former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, who are facing charges over their alleged failure to disclose the whereabouts of the ex-governor, described in court documents as “a fugitive of the law.”
The trial, which was scheduled to commence on Wednesday before Justice Peter Lifu, could not proceed because the judge was away on an official assignment.
The defendants—Reuben Ayuba, Musa Mohammed, Friday Paul, Paganengigha Anagaha and Ayebaifie Suobite—were arraigned on July 1, 2026, by the Department of State Services (DSS) on a two-count charge bordering on allegedly concealing Sylva’s whereabouts and conspiracy.
They pleaded not guilty to the charges and were granted bail in the sum of ₦5 million each, with two sureties resident in Abuja, who must provide valid tax clearance certificates.
According to the charge, the defendants allegedly became accessories after the fact by concealing the whereabouts of Sylva on or about April 28, 2026, an offence punishable under Section 519 of the Criminal Code Act.
They are also accused of conspiring to commit the alleged offence, contrary to Section 516 of the Criminal Code Act.
The five defendants, who described themselves as domestic workers and aides to the former governor, had earlier approached the court seeking the enforcement of their fundamental rights after their arrest by the DSS.
In a supporting affidavit, Preye Anagaha, wife of one of the defendants, said DSS operatives arrested her husband and other aides on October 25, 2025, during a raid on Sylva’s residence in Maitama, Abuja, after failing to locate the former governor.
Sylva also featured in a separate 13-count charge filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation against six persons standing trial over an alleged coup plot against the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
Although the former governor is not listed as a defendant in that case, court documents described him as “still at large.”
The six defendants in the alleged coup trial are Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana (rtd), Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor (rtd), Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni and Abdulkadir Sani.
The alleged coup case is scheduled to resume on September 30, 2026, before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
