The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Tuesday, granted an application filed by the Federal Government to prosecute five suspects linked to a terrorist kingpin, Bello Turji, in absentia.
The trial judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, made the order after counsel to the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Mr. David Kaswe, who moved an oral application to the effect, also told the court that, at the last adjourned date, a bench warrant was issued by the court for the arrest of the defendants.
He, however, told the court that neither the defendants nor their lawyers were in court on Tuesday. According to him, “today makes the third time without the defendants appearing in court”.
He said, though the order for their arrest had been obtained, “we have been unable to trace the defendants” with a view to bringing them to court.
Kaswe, citing Section 352(4) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, applied that the defendants be tried in absentia.
Justice Nwite, who granted the application, adjourned the matter till April 13 for continuation of the trial.
The judge had, on January 21, issued a bench warrant for the arrest of the five suspects standing trial, following their refusal to appear in court after Kaswe, an Assistant Director in the Federal Ministry of Justice, moved the oral application to the effect.
The development followed the absence of the defendants in court to stand their trial.
The judge then adjourned the matter until Feb. 24 for continuation of the trial.
The defendants are Musa Muhammed Kamarawa, Abubakar Hashimu, a.k.a. Doctor; Bashir Abdullahi; Samuel Chinedu, and Lucky Chukwuma, who were sued as 1st to 5th defendants.
The judge had, on December 22, 2025, granted an application filed by the Federal Government to reopen the terrorism charge filed against the five suspects.
Justice Nwite granted the application in a ruling on the motion on notice filed by Kaswe, seeking an order re-listing the charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/633/2024, in the cause list of the court.
The Federal Government, through the AGF, had preferred an 11-count terrorism charge against eight defendants, including Bello Turji, who is still at large.
The suspects were alleged to have provided material services to terrorist groups led by Turji, Kachalla Halilu, Danbokolo, Lawali, Atarwatse, Buderi, and others.
They were accused of 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 for the terror groups.
They were also accused of providing bags of cement, cover zinc, bags of nails, M.M. iron rods, 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 the same to a terrorist, Kachalla Halilu, at a cost of approximately N28.5 million (28,500,000).
They were alleged to have paid for the gun truck partly in cash and partly via electronic transfer.
“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.
Four of the suspects, Musa Kamarawa, Abubakar Hashimu, a.k.a. Doctor; Samuel Chinedu, and Lucky Chukwuma, who were arraigned on December 23, 2024, before Justice Nwite, denied their involvement in the act.
The judge, thereafter, ordered their remand in Kuje Correctional Centre and adjourned the matter until February 10, 2025, for hearing of pending applications, including motions for the defendants’ bail.