A Federal High Court in Abuja has remanded six defendants charged with terrorism in the custody of the State Security Service after their arraignment.
During proceedings, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), informed the court that the charge was ready and sought leave for it to be read to the defendants.
Proceedings were, however, briefly stalled, and the matter was stood down after the third defendant informed the court that his counsel was indisposed, while counsel to the sixth defendant said his client understood only Arabic and Hausa.
When the court reconvened, all six defendants took their plea, denied the allegations, and pleaded not guilty to the 13-count charge.
Following the arraignment, the prosecution applied for their remand in SSS custody and urged the court to grant accelerated hearing of the case. The request was not opposed by most defence counsel, although the first defendant’s lawyer indicated an intention to file a bail application.
In a brief ruling, the trial judge, Justice Joyce Abdumalik, ordered accelerated hearing and directed that the defendants be remanded in SSS custody with access to their lawyers.
The court adjourned the matter till April 27, 2026, for commencement of trial.
The defendants are Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana (rtd), Captain (NN) Erasmus Ochegobia Victor (rtd), Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani.
(Editor: Ada Ononye)
