Paganengigha Anagha, the younger brother of former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, is scheduled to be arraigned on Tuesday at the Federal High Court in Abuja over an alleged coup plot against President Bola Tinubu.
Anagha will appear before the court alongside three others identified as Musa Mohammed, Sylva’s driver; Ayuba Reuben, a plainclothes police officer; and Friday Lusa Paul, an escort driver. The arraignment is set to take place at Court 12, according to sources within the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation.
Authorities have yet to publicly disclose the specific charges against the defendants. However, officials confirmed that proceedings would begin on April 14, marking the first formal court appearance tied to the alleged plot.
The case stems from a broader investigation into a purported attempt to overthrow President Tinubu’s administration in late 2025. The former Bayelsa State governor, Timipre Sylva, had previously been linked to the alleged scheme, although no formal charges against him have been announced in relation to the coup claims.
Security agencies had alleged that Sylva played a financial role in the plot. Reports suggested that between N785 million and N46 billion, traced to accounts associated with him, were funneled into activities connected to the alleged attempt to destabilize the government.
The situation escalated in October 2025 when operatives from the Nigerian Army and the Defence Intelligence Agency reportedly conducted coordinated raids on Sylva’s residences in Abuja and Bayelsa State. During the operations, Anagha and several associates were arrested and taken into custody.
At the time of the raids, Sylva was said to be outside the country. Reports indicated that he moved between several countries, including Senegal and Argentina, allegedly to avoid arrest. His current location has been reported as the United Kingdom.
The alleged coup plot was also linked to the detention of approximately 16 military officers. These officers were suspected of holding a series of clandestine meetings aimed at planning a takeover of the civilian government.
Despite the allegations, Sylva has consistently denied any involvement. His media aide, Julius Bokoru, issued a statement rejecting the claims and describing them as politically motivated.
Bokoru argued that the accusations were part of an effort to damage Sylva’s reputation ahead of the 2027 general elections. He maintained that the former minister remained a committed democrat and supporter of President Tinubu.
According to the statement, Sylva had no role in planning or financing any coup attempt. Bokoru emphasized that Sylva’s political history reflected democratic principles and dismissed the allegations as baseless.
The aide also stated that Sylva had been abroad for medical treatment at the time the allegations surfaced. He added that Sylva’s absence from Nigeria was not connected to any attempt to evade law enforcement.
Separately, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission declared Sylva wanted in November 2025 in connection with a $14.8 million fraud investigation. That case is distinct from the alleged coup plot but has further drawn attention to the former minister’s legal challenges.
The arraignment of Anagha and the other defendants is expected to shed more light on the government’s case. Observers are watching closely to see whether prosecutors will present evidence linking the accused to a coordinated effort to undermine the administration.
As proceedings begin, the case is likely to remain a focal point in Nigeria’s political and security landscape, particularly given its implications for high-profile figures and the stability of the current government.
