By Emmanuel Onyedika
The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the trial of five men accused of concealing the whereabouts of former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, until October 5, following the court’s inability to sit on Wednesday.
The case, scheduled to commence before Justice Peter Lifu, was postponed due to the court’s absence and will now resume after the annual vacation.
The five defendants namely Reuben Ayuba, Musa Mohammed, Friday Paul, Paganengigha Anagaha, and Ayebaifie Suobite were arraigned by the Department of State Services (DSS) on July 1 on a two-count charge of allegedly concealing Sylva’s whereabouts and conspiring to do so. They pleaded not guilty.
Sylva, currently listed as being at large, is linked to a separate criminal case before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, where six individuals are standing trial over an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Court documents describe Sylva as a fugitive with alleged financial ties to the defendants in that case.
At the July 1 proceedings, prosecution counsel E.G. Orubor requested a trial date, while defence lawyers led by SAN Sunusi Musa successfully applied for bail. Justice Lifu granted each defendant bail of N5 million, with two Abuja-based sureties required to provide valid tax clearance certificates.
The case was initially adjourned to July 22 but has now been rescheduled to October 5. According to the charge, the defendants allegedly became accessories after the fact by concealing Sylva’s whereabouts on or about April 28 in Abuja, contrary to Section 519 of the Criminal Code Act, and are also accused of conspiring to conceal his whereabouts, contrary to Section 516.