The federal government has arraigned nine suspects over their alleged involvement in the attack on Yelwata community in Benue State.
The suspects were brought before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday.
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At the commencement of proceedings, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, informed the court that a 57-count amended charge had been filed against the defendants. The amended charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/471/2025, was filed on January 20, 2026.
Fagbemi urged the court to strike out the name of one of the defendants, Yakubu Mamman, from the charge, leaving the remaining nine suspects to take their pleas. The request was not opposed by defence counsel, including Ibrahim Angulu, A. I. Kaura and Adamu Abdullah.
Justice Abdulmalik consequently struck out Mamman’s name from the amended charge. The judge also struck out the earlier charge filed on September 10, 2025, which had listed eight defendants.
All nine defendants present in court pleaded not guilty to the 57-count amended charge.
Those standing trial are Ardo Lawal Mohammed, Muhammadu Saidu, Alhaji Haruna Abdullahi, Yakubu Adamu, Muhammed Musa, Abubakar Adamu, Shaibu Ibrahim, Saleh Mohammed and Bako Jibrin.
The case was adjourned to a later date for continuation of trial.
