By: Bayero Ade
The Federal Government is set to arraign five suspected terrorists with alleged ties to the notorious terrorist leader, Bello Turji, at the Federal High Court in Abuja today.
The suspects, arrested by Nigerian security agencies, will be presented by the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) before Justice Emeka Nwite, a vacation judge.
Although the arraignment was scheduled for Friday, proceedings were delayed as no legal representation appeared for the suspects. AGF’s counsel, David Kaswe, requested a short adjournment to allow the defendants to secure legal counsel of their choice. As a result, Justice Nwite rescheduled the hearing for Monday.
The AGF’s office has filed an 11-count charge (FHC/ABJ/CR/633/2024) against the eight accused, three of whom remain at large. The charges, filed on December 16 by M.B. Abubakar, Director of the Department of Public Prosecutions, include Musa Kamarawa, Abubakar Hashimu (also known as Doctor), Bashir Abdullahi, Samuel Chinedu, and Lucky Chukwuma as the first to fifth defendants. The charges also involve Bello Turji, Aminu Muhammad, and Sani Lawal, who are listed as the sixth to eighth defendants, and are still at large.
The accused are alleged to have provided material support to terrorist groups led by Turji and other notorious leaders, including Kachalla Halilu, Danbokolo, Lawali, Atarwatse, and Buderi. They are accused of supplying illicit drugs such as penta injections and cannabis, food items, military and police uniforms, boots, caps, and construction materials, including cement, zinc, nails, and iron rods, to terrorist camps in Zamfara, Sokoto, and Kaduna States.
The charges fall under Section 17 of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013, which punishes acts of terrorism support.
In one of the counts, Kamarawa, Muhammad, and Lawal (both at large) are accused of facilitating terrorism by acquiring a military gun truck from Libya in 2021, which was sold to terrorist leader Kachalla Halilu for approximately N28.5 million. The truck was allegedly intended for use in terrorist activities. This act is a violation of Section 18 (a) of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013.
In another count, Kamarawa, Hashimu (Doctor), and Abdullahi are accused of providing medical care, shelter, and treatment for gunshot wounds sustained by Bello Turji following an attack on Tungar Kolo Village in Zamfara State in 2018. This act allegedly aided and abetted terrorism and violates Section 8 (1) (b) of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013.
The arraignment of these suspects marks a significant step in addressing terrorism and its facilitators in the country.
Leave a Reply