By Daily Review Online
The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned until October 5 the trial of five men charged with allegedly concealing the whereabouts of former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva.
The case, scheduled to commence before Justice Peter Lifu on Wednesday, could not proceed because the court did not sit. The matter was subsequently fixed for hearing 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.
The charges allege that the five men concealed the whereabouts of Sylva, who prosecutors describe as a fugitive, and conspired to obstruct efforts to locate him.
Sylva, a former governor of Bayelsa State and ex-Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, is currently listed as being at large in a separate case before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik. In that case, six defendants are standing trial over an alleged plot to overthrow the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
According to the Federal Government, Sylva allegedly has financial links with the six suspects, who include retired Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, retired Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni and Abdulkadir Sani.
Although Sylva is not named as a defendant in the 13-count charge before Justice Abdulmalik, court documents list him as being at large.
When the five defendants were arraigned before Justice Lifu on July 1, they pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Justice Lifu granted each defendant bail in the sum of ₦5 million with two sureties who must reside in Abuja and provide valid tax clearance certificates.
The prosecution is expected to begin presenting its case when the trial resumes on October 5.