Court gavel
Federal High Court in Abuja has cleared the way for the Federal Government to resume prosecution of a high-profile terrorism case involving suspects linked to notorious bandit kingpin, Bello Turji, in a move widely seen as a boost to the country’s anti-terrorism efforts.
Justice Emeka Nwite, on Monday, granted the Federal Government’s application seeking to relist an 11-count terrorism charge earlier struck out for lack of diligent prosecution. The charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/633/2024, was restored to the court’s cause list following a motion filed by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF).
Ruling on the application, Justice Nwite described it as meritorious and ordered that the case be reopened.
“I am of the view and I so hold that this application is meritorious and accordingly granted. There is no order as to cost,” the judge ruled.
The case was initially struck out on July 8 after defence lawyers made an oral application, citing repeated absence of the lead prosecuting counsel. However, the Federal Government, through its counsel, David Kaswe, argued that the prosecution had not exhausted the number of adjournments allowed under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.
“And going by the record of this court, the prosecution has not exhausted the time,” Kaswe told the court.
He explained that the application for relisting was necessary to ensure the case was determined on its merits, stressing the grave implications for public safety and national security.
“This is a case of terrorism that has international dimension,” Kaswe said, adding that the prosecution already had its witnesses and exhibits lined up.
According to court records, the Federal Government filed the terrorism charge on December 16, 2024, against eight defendants. Five of them — Musa Muhammed Kamarawa, Abubakar Hashimu (also known as Doctor), Bashir Abdullahi, Samuel Chinedu and Lucky Chukwuma — are currently in custody, while Bello Turji, Aminu Muhammad and Sani Lawal remain at large.
The suspects are accused of providing material support to terrorist groups allegedly led by Turji and other notorious bandit leaders, including Kachalla Halilu and Danbokolo. Prosecutors allege they supplied illicit drugs, food items, military and police uniforms, building materials and other logistics to terrorist camps in forests across Zamfara, Sokoto and Kaduna States.
In one of the counts, Kamarawa, alongside two suspects still at large, was accused of helping to acquire a military gun truck from Libya in 2021 at the cost of about ₦28.5 million, allegedly for use in terrorist operations.
“And which you knew or had reason to believe that this vehicle would be used by Kachalla Halilu, a known terrorist, to commit acts of terrorism,” the charge read in part.
Another count accused some of the defendants of providing medical care and shelter to Bello Turji after he sustained gunshot injuries during an attack on Tungar Kolo Village in Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Four of the suspects pleaded not guilty when they were arraigned on December 23, 2024, and were subsequently remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre. The court had earlier denied them bail, granted an order for witness protection and commenced trial, with the first prosecution witness testifying under the codename “ABC” for security reasons.
While the defence counsel for the first and second defendants, A.M. Lukman, did not oppose the relisting application, he expressed concern over the length of the defendants’ detention and asked the court to award a ₦10 million cost against the prosecution — a request the court declined.
With the case now reinstated, Justice Nwite adjourned proceedings until January 21, 2026, for hearing, signaling a renewed push by the Federal Government to pursue terrorism-related prosecutions to their logical conclusion.
