The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned five individuals before a Federal High Court in Abuja for allegedly concealing the whereabouts of former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva.

The suspects — Reuben Ayuba, Musa Mohammed, Friday Paul, Paganengigha Anagaha and Ayebaifie Suobite — were on Wednesday docked on a two-count charge.

According to the DSS, the defendants allegedly became accessories after the fact to a felony by concealing the whereabouts of Sylva, whom the agency described as a fugitive from justice. The alleged offence was said to have occurred on April 28 in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that all five defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Following their plea, DSS counsel E.G. Orubor requested a trial date to allow the prosecution present its case. Defence lawyers, however, urged the court to grant their clients bail.

Justice Peter Lifu subsequently granted bail to the defendants in the sum of N5 million each, with two sureties apiece. The court ordered that the sureties must be Abuja residents and provide valid tax clearance certificates.

The case is linked to an earlier prosecution by the Federal Government involving six suspects accused of plotting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu.

The six defendants — Muhammed Ibrahim Gana, a retired major-general; Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, a retired navy captain; Ahmed Ibrahim, a serving police inspector; Zekeri Umoru; Bukar Kashim Goni; and Abdulkadir Sani — were arraigned in April before the Federal High Court in Abuja on a 13-count charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/206/2026.

The accused persons pleaded not guilty before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.

Although Sylva, a former minister, was named in the charge, he was not listed as a defendant. Prosecutors, however, alleged that he conspired with the six accused persons in the alleged plot to remove President Tinubu from office.