The Federal Government will, today, bring five suspected terrorists with alleged ties to notorious terror kingpin Bello Turji before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The suspects, arrested by Nigerian security forces, are being prosecuted by the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF). Justice Emeka Nwite, serving as a vacation judge, will preside over the case.
Their arraignment, initially set for last Friday, was stalled due to the absence of defense counsel. The hearing is expected to shine a spotlight on efforts to address terrorism and its enablers across the country.
AGF’s lawyer, David Kaswe, sought for a short adjournment to enable them engaged counsel of their choice and Justice Nwite fixed Monday for their arraignment.
The government through the office of the AGF, had filed the 11-count charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/633/2024 against the eight defendants, three of who are at large.
In the charge filed on December 16 by M.B. Abubakar, the Director of the Department of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Musa Kamarawa; Abubakar Hashimu, a.k.a. Doctor; Bashir Abdullahi; Samuel Chinedu and Lucky Chukwuma were sued as first to fifth defendants respectively.
While Bello Turji, Aminu Muhammad and Sani Lawal, who are all at large, are sued as 6th to 8th defendants.
They were alleged to have provided material services to terrorists groups led by Turji, Kachalla Halilu, Danbokolo, Lawali, Atarwatse, Buderi and others, by procuring and supplying illicit drugs, including penta injections and cannabis plants (aka indian hemp); food items; military and police uniforms, camouflage, boots, caps and building materials.
They were also accused of providing bags of cement, cover zinc, bags of nails, M.M. iron rod, etc., to terrorist camps in the forests located in Zamfara, Sokoto and Kaduna States.
The offence is said to be contrary to Section 17 of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013 and punishable under the same section of the Act.
In count four, Kamarawa, Muhammad (at large) and Lawal (at large), sometime in 2021 in Sokoto State, allegedly aided and abetted the commission of acts of terrorism by acquiring a military gun truck from Libya and supplying same to a terrorist, Kachalla Halilu, at a cost of approximately N28.5 million (28,500,000).
“And which you knew or had reason to believe that this vehicle would be used by Kachalla Halilu, a known terrorist, to commit acts of terrorism.
“You thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 (a) of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013 and punishable under the same section of the Act,” the count read in part.
In count five, Kamarawa, Hashimu a.k.a Doctor, and Abdullahi, sometime in 2018 in Sokoto State, were alleged to have aided and abetted the commission of acts of terrorism by providing material services, including wound care, medication, and shelter, to treat gunshot injuries sustained by Bello Turji after he led his terrorist group to attack Tungar Kolo Village in Zurmi L.G.A. of Zamfara
The offence is contrary to Section 8 (1) (b) of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013 and punishable under the same section of the Act.
