“High-Stakes Drama: Nigerian Authorities Set to Charge Timipre Sylva’s Brother in Alleged Coup Conspiracy”
Paganengigha Anagha, the sibling of former Petroleum Minister, Chief Timipre Sylva, connected to the purported 2025 coup conspiracy against President Bola Tinubu, is set to be presented at the Federal High Court in Abuja today.
Sylva’s chauffeur, Musa Mohammed, an undercover police officer, Ayuba Reuben, and escort driver, Friday Lusa Paul, are also scheduled to face trial at the high court alongside Anagha.
Specifics of the accusations against them have not been publicly disclosed; however, information from the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (AGF) has confirmed that “the arraignment will take place today, April 14 at Court 12.”
The former Governor of Bayelsa State and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, was previously associated with an alleged failed coup strategy intended to displace President Tinubu’s administration in late 2025.
Sylva, currently located in the United Kingdom, was reported to be a major financier of the supposed plan and was on February 24 alleged to have invested between N785 million to N46 billion, traced to his bank accounts, into the coup endeavor.
The allegations regarding the coup reached a culmination when, in late October 2025, soldiers and Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) personnel reportedly invaded Sylva’s properties in Abuja and Bayelsa, apprehending the younger brother, Paga, along with his driver and placing them in custody.
Sylva, said to be abroad during the raids, reportedly escaped from one country to another, notably to Senegal and subsequently Argentina, to evade capture.
The alleged coup was later associated with the detention of approximately 16 military officers suspected of conducting clandestine meetings to attempt to overthrow the civilian government.
In a prompt reply to the far-reaching allegations, Sylva’s media advisor, Mr. Julius Bokoru, released a statement denying the claims and asserting that they were politically driven.
Bokoru also attributed the coup conspiracy to politicians aiming to tarnish Sylva’s reputation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The advisor, while clearing his principal of any wrongdoing, emphasized that Sylva was a democrat, not a coup conspirator, and remains a supporter of President Tinubu like any other devoted Nigerian.
“Chief Timipre Sylva has no association whatsoever, either in planning or logistical support, with any such scheme.
“He is a genuine democrat whose political journey is evident to all Nigerians,” he stated.
Sylva’s aide maintained that his principal was receiving medical treatment abroad along with his spouse.
Nonetheless, following the coup accusations, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) declared Sylva wanted in November 2025 concerning a separate $14.8 million fraud inquiry.
