The trial of five men charged with allegedly concealing the whereabouts of former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, has been adjourned until October 5 by the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The case, slated for hearing on Wednesday before Justice Peter Lifu, could not proceed as scheduled because the court did not sit. The matter was consequently deferred until after the court's annual vacation.
The defendants — 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 bordering on allegedly concealing the whereabouts of the former governor.
All five pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them.
The charges are linked to a separate case in which Sylva, a former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, is alleged to have financial connections with six individuals currently standing trial over an alleged plot to overthrow the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
Although Sylva is not listed as a defendant in that case before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, court documents identify him as being at large.
The six defendants in the related trial are retired Major-General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, retired Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni and Abdulkadir Sani. They are facing a 13-count charge instituted by the Federal Government.
When the five defendants were first arraigned before Justice Lifu, the prosecution, led by E.G. Orubor, requested a trial date after they denied the allegations.
The court admitted them to bail in the sum of N5 million each, with two sureties who must reside in Abuja and provide evidence of tax payment.
The bail applications were argued by their lawyers, including Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Sunusi Musa.
According to the prosecution, the defendants allegedly concealed Sylva's whereabouts in Abuja on or about April 28, despite knowing that he was wanted by law enforcement authorities.
The first count accuses them of acting as accessories after the fact by concealing the whereabouts of a fugitive, contrary to Section 519 of the Criminal Code Act.
The second count alleges that they conspired to commit the offence, contrary to Section 516 of the Criminal Code Act.
The court is expected to commence hearing in the matter on October 5, when proceedings resume after the vacation.
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