Proceedings in the ongoing trial of nine suspects linked to the June 2025 massacre in Yelwata community of Benue State, North-Central Nigeria came to a halt on Tuesday after one of the defendants lost consciousness during the hearing.
The disruption occurred during continuation of trial-within-trial, to determine whether the defendants’ confessional statements were obtained voluntarily.
Shortly after the defendants were brought into court, the third defendant, Haruna Abdullahi, suddenly collapsed and remained unresponsive despite attempts by prison officials to revive him.
When the proceedings kicked off, the trial judge, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, noted that the defendant could not be deemed present in his condition, having remained unconscious for over an hour.
Defence counsel, Ahmed Mohammad requested for an adjournment to allow his client to receive urgent treatment, a position supported by other lawyers and not opposed by the prosecution.
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The court subsequently adjourned the hearing to March 30 and 31, directing that notices be served on absent defence counsel.
The accused persons are facing 57 terrorism-related charges over the attack on Yelwata community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, which reportedly left about 150 people dead.
All nine defendants have pleaded not guilty and are currently standing trial in custody.
Earlier in the trial, a police witness testified that the attackers had planned the assault in neighbouring Nasarawa State and were armed with rifles.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
