The Department of State Services, DSS, has arraigned five Nigerians before the Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations of concealing the whereabouts of former Bayelsa State governor and ex-minister, Timipre Sylva, who is accused of masterminding an alleged coup plot against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The defendants were docked on Wednesday before Justice Peter Lifu on a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and allegedly aiding a fugitive by concealing his whereabouts.

According to the DSS, the accused persons became accessories after the fact by allegedly hiding information relating to Sylva’s location on April 28, 2026, an offence said to be punishable under the Criminal Code Act.

The secret police further alleged that the five defendants conspired to shield the former minister from arrest despite being aware that he was wanted by security authorities.

However, all the accused persons pleaded not guilty when the charges were read in open court.

Counsel to the DSS, Emmanuel Orubor, urged the court to fix a date for trial, indicating the agency’s readiness to call witnesses in support of its case.

The defence lawyers, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Sanusi Musa, applied for bail, arguing that their clients had remained in custody since October 25, 2025, and deserved to be released on liberal terms pending the determination of the case.

In his ruling, Justice Lifu granted each defendant bail in the sum of N5 million with two sureties in like amount.

The court ordered that the sureties must provide affidavits of means, evidence of three years’ tax payments, proof of legitimate means of livelihood and recent passport photographs, with their identities to be verified by the court registrar.

Pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions, the judge directed that the defendants be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre.

Justice Lifu subsequently adjourned the matter until July 22 for the commencement of trial as fresh attention shifts to the high-profile case and the allegations surrounding the purported coup plot.