The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned five Nigerians before the Federal High Court in Abuja over the alleged concealment of the whereabouts of former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva.
The defendants appeared before Justice Peter Lifu on a two-count charge of conspiracy and allegedly concealing the whereabouts of Sylva, whom the DSS described as a fugitive linked to an alleged coup plot against President Bola Tinubu.
The five defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following their plea, DSS counsel Emmanuel Orubor asked the court to fix a date for trial, while defence lawyers sought bail, arguing that their clients had been in custody since October 25, 2025.
Justice Lifu granted each defendant bail in the sum of ₦5 million, with two sureties in like sum.
The sureties are required to provide affidavits of means, evidence of three years’ tax payments, proof of livelihood, and recent passport photographs, subject to verification by the court registrar.
Pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions, the defendants were remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
The case was subsequently adjourned until July 22 for the commencement of trial.