The Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the remand of four individuals accused of terrorism, allegedly connected to the notorious bandit leader, Bello Turji.
The presiding judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, on Monday, directed that the suspects be held at Kuje Correctional Centre pending further trial proceedings.
The defendants, Musa Muhammad Kamarawa, Abubakar Hashimu (also known as Doctor), Samuel Chinedu, and Lucky Chukwuma were formally arraigned on an 11 count charge primarily centered on terrorism-related activities.
During the court session, all four individuals entered pleas of not guilty. Notably, the charges were presented in both English and Hausa to accommodate linguistic differences, as defendant Hashimu indicated a lack of proficiency in English.
The charges, filed by the Attorney General of the Federation and dated December 16, 2024, alleged that between 2018 and 2022, the defendants conspired to engage in acts of terrorism across various states, including Sokoto, Zamfara, and Kaduna.
Specific allegations include the provision of material support to terrorist factions led by Bello Turji. This purported support encompassed the supply of illicit drugs, military and police uniforms, food items, and construction materials intended for terrorist encampments.
A particularly grave accusation involves the facilitation of a military grade gun truck’s acquisition from Libya in 2021. The vehicle, reportedly purchased for approximately N28.5 million, was allegedly supplied to a terrorist figure known as Kachalla Halilu, with the defendants fully aware of its intended use in terrorist operations.
The charge sheet lists eight defendants; however, only four were present in court. The remaining individuals, including Bello Turji, Aminu Muhammad, and Sani Lawal, are currently at large.
During the proceedings, the prosecution acknowledged the absence of these defendants and received the court’s permission to amend the charge to reflect their status appropriately.
Following the arraignment, counsel for the fifth defendant, A.I. Mohammed, requested a brief adjournment to prepare a bail application. Justice Nwite granted this request and scheduled the trial to commence on February 10, 2025. Additionally, a preliminary objection concerning the court’s territorial jurisdiction was raised by the defence.
However, the judge determined that this objection was not yet ready for consideration, as the prosecution had only just been served with the application.
This case underscores the Nigerian government’s ongoing efforts to combat terrorism and banditry within its borders.
The alleged connections between the defendants and high-profile figures like Bello Turji highlight the complexities and challenges faced by law enforcement in addressing organized criminal activities.
The forthcoming trial is anticipated to shed further light on the operations of these terrorist networks and the extent of their activities across multiple states.
The judiciary’s handling of this case will be closely watched as an indicator of Nigeria’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring justice in the fight against terrorism.
As the trial date approaches, the public and relevant stakeholders await developments that may provide deeper insights into the nation’s security challenges and the legal system’s role in addressing them.
