Court remands suspected terrorists in Kuje correctional centre
A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of four suspected terrorists linked to the notorious bandit kingpin, Bello Turji, in Kuje Correctional Centre.
Justice Emeka Nwite, in a short ruling, yesterday, made the order after the defendants pleaded not guilty to an 11-count charge bordering on terrorism The four suspects, Musa Muhammad Kamarawa; Abubakar Hashimu (aka Doctor); Samuel Chinedu and Lucky Chukwuma, denied their involvement in the offences they were charged with when the 11 counts were read to them.
Eight defendants were listed on the face of the charge, three of them, including Bello Turji, are at large. However, shortly after the court registrar called the case, only four defendants were in court.
Justice Nwite then asked about the whereabouts of Bashir Abdullahi, who is the third defendant. David Kaswe, who appeared for the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), told the court that Abdullahi was also at large. Kaswe, who acknowledged the mistake, apologised to the court.
The lawyer, therefore, sought the leave of the court to enter “at large” for Abdullahi, and the judge granted the oral application after it was not opposed by the defence lawyers.
The Federal Government, through the office of the AGF, had filed the 11-count charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/633/ 2024 against the eight defendants, four of who are at large.
In the charge dated and filed on December 16 by M.B. Abubakar, Director, Department of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Musa Muhammad Kamarawa; Abubakar Hashimu; Samuel Chinedu and Lucky Chukwuma were sued as 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th defendants, while Bashir Abdullahi, Bello Turji, Aminu Muhammad and Sani Lawal, who are all at large, are 3rd, 6th, 7th and 8th defendants.
At the resumed hearing, Kaswe informed the court that the matter was scheduled for arraignment of the defendants and that they were ready to proceed. He said the defendants had been duly served with the charge.
But A.M. Lukman, who appeared for the 1st, 2nd and 4th defendants (Kamarawa, Hashimu and Chinedu), told the court that a preliminary objection had been filed against the charge.
The lawyer urged the court to hear their objection.“What is the objection all about?” Justice Nwite asked. Responding, Lukman said: “It is on the issue of territorial jurisdiction of this honourable court, my lord.”
“Is that what the law says,” the judge inquired.Kaswe, who represented the AGF, opposed Lukman’s application because it was not ripe for hearing.
“Counsel has just served me with the application this morning. It is not ripe for hearing, my lord,” he argued. Justice Nwite, who aligned with Kaswe’s submission, directed the charge to be read to the defendants.
Hashimu, however, told the court that he did not understand English Language, and asked that the counts be read in English and Hausa for the defendants to take their plea.
After they pleaded not guilty to the counts, A.I. Mohammed, who appeared for the 5th defendant (Chukwuma), sought a short adjournment to enable them to file their clients’ bail application.
But the judge assured them that the application would be heard as soon as they were ready. The defendants were alleged to have provided services to terrorist groups, led by Turji, Kachalla Halilu, Danbokolo, Lawali, Atarwatse, Buderi and others, by procuring and supplying illicit drugs, food items, military and police uniforms, and camouflage.
They were also alleged to have supplied boots, caps and building materials to terrorist camps in the forests located in Zamfara, Sokoto and Kaduna states.
The offence is said to be contrary to Section 17 of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013, and punishable under the same section of the Act. At the end of the proceedings, the presiding judge adjourned the case to February 10 for trial.
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