The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted an application by the Federal Government to reopen terrorism charges against five suspects linked to notorious terrorist kingpin Bello Turji.

 

 

 

Justice Emeka Nwite granted the application in a ruling on a motion on notice filed by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), ordering that the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/633/2024 be re-listed on the court’s cause list. The judge held that the motion, moved by the AGF’s counsel, David Kaswe, was meritorious.

 

 

 

The charge had earlier been struck out on July 8 for want of diligent prosecution after defence counsel made an oral application to that effect.

 

 

 

The Federal Government had initially filed 11 terrorism-related counts against eight defendants, including Bello Turji, who remains at large. The case, filed on December 16, 2024, named Musa Muhammed Kamarawa, Abubakar Hashimu (also known as Doctor), Bashir Abdullahi, Samuel Chinedu, and Lucky Chukwuma. Others listed as defendants but still at large are Turji, Aminu Muhammad, and Sani Lawal.

 

 

 

Prosecutors alleged that the suspects provided material support to terrorist groups led by Turji and other bandit leaders, including the supply of illicit drugs such as penta injections and cannabis, food items, military and police uniforms, camouflage gear, boots, caps, and building materials. They were also accused of supplying cement, zinc sheets, nails, iron rods, and other materials to terrorist camps in forests across Zamfara, Sokoto, and Kaduna states.

 

 

 

In one of the counts, the prosecution alleged that some of the defendants aided acts of terrorism in 2021 by acquiring a military gun truck from Libya and supplying it to a known terrorist at a cost of about ₦28.5 million, allegedly knowing it would be used to carry out attacks. Another count accused some defendants of providing medical treatment, shelter, and care to Turji after he sustained gunshot wounds during an attack on a community in Zamfara State.

 

 

 

Four of the suspects, Kamarawa, Hashimu, Chinedu, and Chukwuma, were arraigned on December 23, 2024, pleaded not guilty, and were remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre. The court later denied their bail applications, granted an order for witness protection, and heard testimony from the first prosecution witness, identified only as “ABC” for security reasons.

 

 

 

The trial stalled in May due to the absence of the lead prosecuting counsel, and on July 8 the case was struck out following another absence. The prosecution later returned to court, arguing that under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, it was entitled to more adjournments and had not exhausted the time allowed before the case was struck out.

 

 

 

Kaswe told the court that the prosecution was ready to proceed, had all witnesses and exhibits prepared, and that the matter involved terrorism with international dimensions affecting public safety and national security. He said his absence on the day the case was struck out was not deliberate.

 

 

 

Counsel to the first and second defendants did not oppose the application but asked the court to award ₦10 million in costs against the prosecution, citing the length of time the defendants had spent in detention. The judge declined to award costs.

 

 

 

In his ruling, Justice Nwite held that the application was unopposed and justified, adding that the interest of justice required the charge to be re-listed. He therefore granted the application and adjourned the case until January 21, 2026, for hearing.