The 22 suspects who were arrested in connection with the mob action that took place in Mangun community of Mangu Local Government of Plateau State on June 21, 2025, were charged to court on Thursday.

But the Plateau State High Court Number 10 could not take their pleas because two minors are involved, as the suspects were arraigned before Justice Boniface Ngyou.

He asked the Police Prosecutor, Mr. M.S.I. Ikutan, a lawyer, to amend the number of suspects and adjourned the case to today to take their pleas.

Therefore, the four-count charge preferred against them could not be read until today, after the amendment, where the suspects will be reduced to 20.

The prosecution had urged the court to read the charges for them to take their pleas. Ikutan had added that since the under-aged suspects were arrested together with the mature men, they should be allowed to take their pleas after the charges were read to them.

But the Defence Counsel to the suspects, Dr. Garba Pwul (SAN), had argued that the law is clear when it concerns minors because the Child Rights Law is there, while the 1999 Constitution is also there to protect the rights of the minors.

According to the trial judge, if he granted that the case be adjourned, where the suspects would be taken to is another thing. He equally argued about where they should be taken if the court adjourned the matter without taking the pleas.

Pwul had also argued that the suspects should not stay in custody more than necessary.

The judge then ordered that after the amendment, after which the two minors have been removed, they should all come today for the case to start properly.