The Department of the State Service (DSS) has presented five individuals linked to ex-Petroleum Minister Timipre Silva before the Federal High Court in Abuja, accused of hiding details about their employer, who is suspected of being a financial backer of a failed plot against President Bola Tinubu.
Former Governor of Bayelsa State, Silva, has been labeled as an individual of interest by the federal authorities, with his recognized assets designated for seizure after he was charged as the instigator and principal figure behind the suspected coup attempt.
Five partners include Reuben Ayuba, Musa Mohammed, Friday Paul, Paganengigha Anagaha, and Ayebaifife Suobite, who appeared in court on Wednesday under Judge Peter Lifu.
Two charges were filed against them, stating that the defendants on April 28, 2026 acted as accomplices following a crime by hiding the location of Timiprey Silva, who is alleged to be a person fleeing from justice.
The reported violation is claimed to breach Section 519 of the Criminal Code Act Law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2004.
The DSS also alleged they conspired to commit a crime, specifically hiding the location of Timiprey Silva, who is wanted by the authorities under Section 516 of the Criminal Code LFN, 2004.
Nevertheless, each of the individuals charged denied the allegations when they were presented with them. Timipre Silva
A DSS attorney, Emmanuel Orubor, requested the judge to set a date for the DSS to begin their trial by summoning witnesses to provide testimony against them.
Nevertheless, Sunusi Musa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), representing Reuben Ayuba and Paganengigha Anagaha (the first and fourth accused individuals), submitted a bail request for his clients based on multiple reasons.
Other similar arguments were presented by Ibrahim Imadegbelo, representing Musa Mohammed, the second defendant, along with I. G Kelubia, who defended Friday Paul, the third defendant, and E. C Sogo, who advocated for Ayebaifife Suobite, the fifth accused individual.
Attorneys brought to the notice of Judge Lifu that their clients had been detained since October 25, 2025, and requested the court to grant them bail under lenient conditions.
In a short decision, Judge Lifu granted them bail amounting to N5 million each, along with two guarantors for the same amount.
Sureties must take an oath regarding their financial status, present proof of tax payments for the past three years, provide documentation of a stable source of income, and submit their latest passport-sized photos.
Judge Lifu directed that the identity details of the guarantors should be confirmed by the Court Clerk.
Until the bail terms are finalized, the judge directed that the defendants be notified at Kuje Prison.
The court set July 22 as the date when the trial will begin.
The accusations directed at them state;
COUNT ONE: "That you, RUBEN AYUBA, MUSA MOHAMMED, FRIDAY PAUL PAGANENGIGHA ANAGAHA, and AYEBAIFIE SUOBITE, adult men, on or around the 28th day of April, 2026, in Abuja, within this Honorable Court’s jurisdiction, acted as accomplices following a serious crime by hiding where Timiprey Silva was located, who is a person fleeing from justice, thus committing an offense under Section 519 of the Criminal Code Act LFN, 2004."
COUNT TWO: "That you, RUBEN AYUBA, MUSA. MOHAMMED, FRIDAY PAUL, PAGANENGIGHA ANAGAHA, and AYEBAIFIE SUOBITE, being adult men, on or around the 28th day of April, 2026, in Abuja, within the area under this Honorable Court’s authority, conspired to commit a crime, specifically: hiding the location of Timiprey Silva, who is wanted by the law, thus committing an offense as per Section 516 of the Criminal Code LFN, 2004."
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