The Department of State Services has reportedly 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 amid an ongoing investigation into an alleged coup plot.
The development comes months after the Federal Government filed a 13-count charge against seven civilians accused of offences including treasonable felony, conspiracy to overthrow the Federal Government, conspiracy to commit terrorism and other national security-related offences.
According to security sources familiar with the investigation, the five associates were charged for allegedly failing to disclose information that could assist security agencies in locating the former minister, who is also facing charges in the case.
The sources alleged that the former Bayelsa State governor has been absent since charges were instituted and is being tried in absentia before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Among those facing trial are retired Major-General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, retired Navy Captain Victor Erasmus Ochegobia, serving police Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni and Abdulkadir Sani. Some serving military personnel linked to the investigation are reportedly undergoing separate court-martial proceedings.
A senior security source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to comment publicly, said investigators believe the five associates failed to cooperate with ongoing investigations.
“Their alleged failure to provide information regarding the whereabouts of their principal amounts to obstruction of the investigation. They will have the opportunity to defend themselves before the court,” the source said.
As of the time of filing this report, neither Sylva nor his legal representatives had publicly responded to the allegations.
The DSS and the Office of the Attorney-General had also not issued fresh official statements on the reported arraignment.
