…“Chief Timipre Sylva has no involvement whatsoever in any coup plot. He is a thoroughbred democrat,”
ABUJA, NIGERIA- The iNews Times| Paganengigha Anagha, younger brother to former Minister of Petroleum, Timipre Sylva, is set to be arraigned today at the Federal High Court in Abuja over his alleged involvement in a 2025 coup plot.
Anagha will be docked alongside Sylva’s driver, Musa Mohammed, a plainclothes police officer, Ayuba Reuben, and escort driver, Friday Lusa Paul. The defendants are expected to face trial at Court 12, although details of the charges against them have not yet been officially disclosed.
Sources within the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation confirmed that the arraignment is scheduled for April 14, marking a significant development in the ongoing investigation into the alleged plot.
The case is tied to claims that Timipre Sylva was linked to a failed attempt to overthrow the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in late 2025. He was reportedly accused of financing the plot with large sums of money traced to his accounts.
The allegations intensified in October 2025 when operatives, including soldiers and officials of the Defence Intelligence Agency, raided Sylva’s residences in Abuja and Bayelsa. During the operation, Anagha and others were arrested and taken into custody.
At the time, Timipre was reportedly outside the country and was said to have moved between countries, including Senegal and Argentina, allegedly to avoid arrest. He is currently believed to be in the United Kingdom.
Investigations into the alleged coup attempt also led to the detention of about 16 military officers suspected of holding secret meetings aimed at toppling the civilian government.
However, Timipre has consistently denied any involvement in the allegations. His media aide, Julius Bokoru, described the claims as politically motivated, insisting that his principal remains a committed democrat and supporter of President Tinubu.
“Chief Timipre Sylva has no involvement whatsoever in any coup plot. He is a thoroughbred democrat,” the aide stated, adding that the former minister was abroad for medical reasons at the time.
Meanwhile, the case adds to Sylva’s legal troubles, as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had earlier declared him wanted in November 2025 over a separate $14.8 million fraud investigation.
As proceedings commence, attention is expected to focus on the prosecution’s case and whether the defendants will formally enter their pleas.
