The younger brother of former petroleum minister Timipre Sylva is to appear before the Federal High Court in Abuja today over an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu.
Paganengigha Anagha, sibling of the former Bayelsa State governor and ex-Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, will be arraigned alongside four others: Sylva’s driver, Musa Mohammed; his plainclothes police orderly, Ayuba Reuben; and escort driver, Friday Lusa Paul.
The charges against the suspects have not yet been made public. However, sources close to the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice confirmed that the arraignment will take place at Court 12.
The alleged coup plot dates back to 2025. Military and Defence Intelligence Agency operatives raided Sylva’s residences in Abuja and Bayelsa in late October 2025, detaining Anagha – also known as Paga – and his driver. Further investigations linked Sylva, who is currently in self-imposed exile in the United Kingdom, to the plot as its main financier.
A probe into Sylva’s bank accounts reportedly revealed that on 24 February 2025, he funded the attempted power takeover with a sum ranging from N785 million to N46 billion. Authorities also allege that Sylva has been evading arrest, moving between Senegal and Argentina.
The plot reportedly involved coordinated meetings among about 16 military officers, who were later detained over allegations of conspiring to topple the civilian government.
However, Sylva’s media aide, Mr Julius Bokoru, dismissed the allegation as politically motivated.
Separately, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said it is investigating a $14.8 million fraud case and has declared Sylva wanted since November 2025.
