The Federal Government on Tuesday moves to arraign Paganengigha Anagha, a younger brother to former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, over his alleged link to a controversial 2025 coup plot targeting President Bola Tinubu.
Anagha is expected to appear before the Federal High Court in Abuja alongside three co-defendants Musa Mohammed, Ayuba Reuben and Friday Lusa Paul all said to be associates within Sylva’s security and personal circle.
Sources within the Federal Ministry of Justice confirmed that the suspects would be arraigned before Court 12, although the full details of the charges had yet to be made public as of the time of filing this report.
The prosecution is coming months after security agencies uncovered what authorities described as a failed plot to destabilise the current administration in late 2025.
Investigations had earlier linked Timipre Sylva to the alleged scheme, with claims that substantial funds traced to him were deployed to support the operation. The figures reportedly ranged from millions to several billions of naira.
The case gained national attention in October 2025 following coordinated raids by security operatives, including the Defence Intelligence Agency, on properties associated with the former Bayelsa governor in Abuja and Bayelsa State.
The operation led to the arrest of Anagha and other suspects now facing trial.
At the time of the raids, Sylva was reported to be outside Nigeria.
Further findings by investigators reportedly connected the alleged conspiracy to the detention of about 16 serving military officers accused of holding secret meetings to undermine the civilian government.
Despite the allegations, Sylva has repeatedly denied any involvement.
His media aide, Julius Bokoru, maintained that the claims were politically driven and aimed at damaging his principal’s reputation ahead of future elections.
He described Sylva as a committed democrat with no history of anti-democratic activities, adding that the former minister had been abroad for medical treatment.
Meanwhile, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had earlier declared Sylva wanted in November 2025 in connection with a separate $14.8 million fraud probe.
Proceedings in court are expected to provide further clarity on the allegations as the Federal Government begins formal prosecution of the suspects.
