Rights Group Demands Release of Timipre Sylva’s Aides After Five Months of Detention Without Trial

The Centre for Justice and Equity calls for the release of Timipre Sylva’s four aides, citing five months of detention without trial as a rights violation.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 18, 2026, 9:03 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Independent Newspaper Nigeria

Civil Rights Advocacy Group Challenges Prolonged Detention of Ministerial Staff

The Centre for Justice and Equity (CJE) has issued a formal demand for the immediate release of four staff members attached to Timipre Sylva, the former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources. In a public communication signed by spokesperson Chief Igoni Williams, the organization characterized the ongoing custody of these individuals as a fundamental breach of legal due process. The group argues that holding citizens without a clear judicial resolution undermines the constitutional framework of the nation and creates an environment of legal uncertainty.

Specific Identities and Circumstances of the October Security Operation

The detainees in question were reportedly taken into custody on October 25, 2025, during a security intervention at Sylva’s private residence in the Maitama district of Abuja. Among those currently held are Paganengigha Anagha, who serves as a domestic aide and is the former minister’s younger brother, along with Musa Mohammed, a driver. The group also includes Ayuba Reuben, a police detail operating in plainclothes, and Friday Lusa Paul, an escort driver. Since the initial operation, the precise legal status and location of these men have remained largely opaque, fueling significant concern among their legal representatives and families.

Absence of Formal Charges and the Requirement for Arraignment

A primary grievance cited by the CJE is the total absence of formal charges presented in a court of law despite the passage of more than five months. The organization maintains that in a functional democracy, authorities are obligated to either present credible evidence of wrongdoing before a judge or restore the freedom of the accused. By failing to initiate a transparent trial, the government risks establishing a pattern of arbitrary incarceration that bypasses the established judiciary, according to the group's analysis of the current situation.