The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday adjourned the trial of an alleged terrorism suspect, Abubakar Abdulkadir, also known as Julde, to February 17, 2025.
The adjournment was for the response of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, in the ongoing trial.
Abdulkadir and six others are being prosecuted by the Inspector-General of Police on 19 counts of terrorism and kidnapping.
The accused, according to the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/417/2023, include Abdulkadir, Adamu Musa, aka Dan Anacha; Muhammed Haladu, Sale Gagare, Musa Muhammadu, Babawuro Mukawo, Saidu Abubakar and others said to be at large.
The prosecution alleges that between February and November 2022, in Sabon Gida village of Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State, the defendants “conspired to commit acts of terrorism by attacking and kidnapping Alhaji Maidabo Zide and several other innocent residents of Taraba State.”
The charge stated that this constitutes an offence contrary to Section 26(1)(a) and punishable under Section 24(2)(b) of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022.
The defendants are also accused of killing residents, demanding and collecting ransom from their victims, and stealing livestock, motorcycles, and vehicles belonging to the victims, among other offences.
Count 19 of the charge read, “That sometime in December 2022, at Bali LGA of Taraba State, while armed with guns, machetes, knives and other dangerous weapons, you committed acts of terrorism by invading Jatau village in Bali LGA of Taraba State, attacking and killing Muhammadu Umar (m) and Bagudu Umar (m) by shooting sporadically, and stealing 26 cows and food items belonging to Muhammadu Abubakar. You thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 2(2)(a) and punishable under Section 24(2)(b) of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022.”
At Thursday’s sitting, the IGP’s counsel, Audu Garba, informed Justice Emeka Nwite that the case was scheduled for cross-examination of the second prosecution witness.
However, he added that the case file had been handed over to the AGF who is now the prosecutor.
Garba said, “My Lord, the matter is for the cross-examination of PW-2. The AGF has requested the case file and it has been transferred to the AGF’s office.”
Justice Nwite acknowledged receiving a letter from the AGF’s office, requesting a short adjournment until January 29.
However, due to the court’s schedule, the matter was adjourned till February 17.
Counsel for the other defendants did not oppose the adjournment.
However, Manjok Agom, the lawyer for the 1st, 2nd and 4th defendants, informed the court that an application for the withdrawal of the case was already before the court.
Agom said, “My Lord, I believe the application is for the case to be struck out. The AGF should be in court today, not the IG prosecuting the case. We are applying for the matter to be struck out.”
Justice Nwite clarified that the case could not be struck out since it had been handed over to a new prosecutor who was not present in court, saying, “Why are we striking out? The AGF wrote a letter requesting an adjournment.”
Justice Nwite said, “The matter is adjourned till February 17 for a report from the Honourable Attorney-General.”
