 and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has formally taken over the prosecution of){kind=link}
The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has formally taken over the prosecution of Abubakar Abdulkadir, also known as Julde, and six others facing terrorism and kidnapping charges.
The trial, which had previously been handled by the office of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), was brought before Justice Emeka Nwite at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday.
The court adjourned proceedings to February 17, 2025, to allow the AGF to take full control of the case.
The defendants are accused of a series of violent crimes, including terrorism and kidnapping, carried out in Taraba State between February and November 2022.
Prosecutors allege they orchestrated attacks in Sabon Gida village, Gassol Local Government Area, where they kidnapped residents, including Alhaji Maidabo Zide, demanded ransom payments, and stole property such as vehicles and livestock.
A specific charge in the case outlines a December 2022 attack in Jatau village, Bali Local Government Area, where the defendants allegedly killed two residents, Muhammadu Umar and Bagudu Umar, and looted 26 cows and food supplies.
These actions, the prosecution argued, violate the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act of 2022.
At the hearing, the IGP’s counsel, Audu Garba, informed the court that the case file had been officially transferred to the AGF’s office.
Justice Nwite acknowledged receiving a request from the AGF to postpone the trial to January 29, but the court set February 17 due to scheduling constraints.
While defence lawyers did not object to the adjournment, Manjok Agom, representing three of the defendants, expressed dissatisfaction with the delays.
He requested the case be dismissed, arguing that the AGF’s absence in court indicated a lack of readiness to proceed.
Justice Nwite, however, dismissed this motion, emphasizing that the AGF had officially assumed responsibility for the prosecution.
He clarified, “The case cannot be struck out given the formal involvement of the Attorney General.”
The trial will resume in February for further updates on the AGF’s progress in the matter.