An associate of former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, has expressed concern over the ongoing coup allegation, warning about the sensitivity surrounding the case.
The associate, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the situation requires caution given the gravity of the allegations.
Speaking with Vanguard, the source said the fear of being drawn into the investigation has created anxiety among associates.
He said, “At this point, I have to be very careful too because we are talking about a coup allegation.”
The source added, “You have to be careful how you speak, or they may want to call you in for questioning. I have suffered this. Since November last year, I have not had any rest from the authorities.”
‘Trial Must Not Be Politicised’
In a related development, a Bayelsa elder and Convener of the South South Reawakening Group, Joseph Ambakederimo, called for due process in handling the case.
He said, “If anyone runs foul of the law, he should face the consequences of his actions in a competent court of law.”
Ambakederimo stressed the need to uphold the rule of law and avoid politicising the trial.
He added, “We must respect constitutional order and the rule of law. But the prosecution must prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.
“This trial should not be politicised; it should be an open trial, and the court should be allowed to do its work to its logical conclusion. This is the only way justice will be seen to have been done.”
The comments come as the Federal Government is set to arraign six individuals before the Federal High Court in Abuja over an alleged plot to wage war against Nigeria and overthrow President Bola Tinubu.
Those to be arraigned include retired Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, retired Naval Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani.
Sylva is also listed in the charge but is said to be at large.
The defendants are expected to appear before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik as proceedings begin.