The trial of five men charged with allegedly concealing the whereabouts of former Bayelsa state governor, Timipre Sylva, could not hold on Wednesday as scheduled because the judge was not on seat.
The trial, which was scheduled for commencement before Justice Peter Lifu, has now been adjourned until the 5th of October 2026.
The long adjournment, our Correspondent reports, was due to the annual judges’ vacation scheduled to commence on 27th of July to 11th of September.
When the trial resumes, the court is expected to commence hearing on the evidence presented by the prosecution.
The five defendants facing charges and had been arraigned by the Department of State Services (DSS) are Reuben Ayuba, Musa Mohammed, Friday Paul, Paganengigha Anagaha and Ayebaifie Suobite.
The charges accuse the defendants of concealing the whereabouts of Timipre Sylva, who according to the prosecution remains a fugitive over his alleged involvement in a coup allegedly plotted to dethrone the government of President Bola Tinubu.
The DSS said the alleged offences were committed on April 28 in Abuja.
During their arraignment on July 1 on a two-count charge, they all pleaded not guilty to the allegations.
Timipre Sylva, a former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and former governor of Bayelsa state, is currently listed as being at large in a separate criminal case before another Federal High Court in Abuja.
When they were arraigned before Justice Lifu, the prosecution requested a trial date to enable it to present evidence against the five defendants.
After arguments were taken via an application which was argued before the court by their counsel, Sunusi Musa, SAN, the court later granted each defendant bail in the sum of N5 million with two sureties.
Justice Lifu ruled that the sureties must be residents of Abuja and provide valid tax clearance certificates as part of the bail conditions.
Among other charges, the counts are that the defendants allegedly became accessories after the fact by concealing the whereabouts of Timipre Sylva despite knowing that he was wanted by law enforcement authorities.