The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned no fewer than five associates of former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, over allegations that they concealed information about his whereabouts while he was being sought by security agencies.
The aides are accused of failing to disclose information that could have led to Sylva’s arrest after he was linked to an alleged coup plot. Sylva has reportedly remained out of public view since charges were filed against him earlier this year.
The Federal Government had earlier filed a 13-count charge against seven civilians accused of plotting to overthrow the administration of President Bola Tinubu. The defendants face charges including treasonable felony, conspiracy to overthrow the government, conspiracy to commit terrorism, and other offences bordering on national security.
Among those standing trial are retired Major-General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, retired Navy Captain Victor Erasmus Ochegobia, serving police inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Timipre Sylva, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani. Some serving military personnel linked to the alleged plot are also facing court-martial proceedings.
Sylva, a former governor of Bayelsa State, has been on the run since April when the other suspects were arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja. He is currently being tried in absentia.
According to a senior security source familiar with the investigation, the five aides were interrogated over their alleged refusal to cooperate with investigators by providing information that could facilitate Sylva’s arrest.
The source alleged that the aides’ failure to disclose relevant information made them collaborators in the alleged offence and could expose them to more serious legal consequences.
“They have failed to cooperate with investigators. That means they are also accomplices and collaborators in this undemocratic stance. They will have their day in court soon,” the source said.
The DSS has yet to issue an official statement on the arraignment.
