The Federal Government is set to arraign five individuals suspected of links to notorious terrorist leader Bello Turji at the Federal High Court in Abuja today.
The suspects, arrested by Nigerian security agencies, will face charges brought by the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) before Justice Emeka Nwite, a vacation judge.
Although their arraignment was initially scheduled for Friday, proceedings were delayed after no legal representation appeared for the suspects. AGF’s lawyer, David Kaswe, requested a brief adjournment to allow the defendants time to secure counsel. Consequently, Justice Nwite rescheduled the hearing for Monday.
The AGF has filed an 11-count charge (FHC/ABJ/CR/633/2024) against eight defendants, three of whom remain at large. The charges, filed on December 16 by M.B. Abubakar, Director of the Department of Public Prosecutions, include Musa Kamarawa, Abubakar Hashimu (also known as Doctor), Bashir Abdullahi, Samuel Chinedu, and Lucky Chukwuma as the first to fifth defendants. Bello Turji, Aminu Muhammad, and Sani Lawal, who are still at large, are named as the sixth to eighth defendants.
The accused individuals are charged with providing material support to terrorist groups led by Turji, Kachalla Halilu, Danbokolo, Lawali, Atarwatse, Buderi, and others. They are accused of supplying illicit drugs, including penta injections and cannabis, food, military and police uniforms, boots, caps, and construction materials such as cement, zinc, nails, and iron rods to terrorist camps in Zamfara, Sokoto, and Kaduna States.
The actions are alleged to be violations of Section 17 of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013, which penalizes terrorism-related support.
In one of the charges, Kamarawa, Muhammad (at large), and Lawal (at large) are accused of aiding terrorism by acquiring a military gun truck from Libya in 2021, which was sold to terrorist leader Kachalla Halilu for N28.5 million. This vehicle was allegedly intended for use in terrorist operations, violating Section 18 (a) of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013.
Also, Kamarawa, Hashimu (Doctor), and Abdullahi are accused of providing medical care and shelter to Bello Turji following his injury in an attack on Tungar Kolo Village in Zamfara in 2018, which they allegedly knew would facilitate terrorism. This act is said to be in violation of Section 8 (1) (b) of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013.
The arraignment of the suspects marks an important development in the fight against terrorism and its facilitators in Nigeria.
