Abuja court fixes Oct. 14 for trial in absentia of five Bello Turji-linked terrorism suspects

The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed October 14 for the commencement of the trial in absentia of five suspects accused of supporting the activities of notorious terrorist leader.

Justice Emeka Nwite scheduled the trial after the Federal Government, through its counsel, David Kaswe, made an oral application during Thursday’s proceedings.

The defendants are Musa Kamarawa, Abubakar Hashimu, also known as “Doctor”, Bashir Abdullahi, Samuel Chinedu and Lucky Chukwuma.

At the hearing, Kaswe, who represented the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), was the only party present in court. He informed the court that the matter was unlikely to be concluded before Justice Nwite’s anticipated elevation to the Court of Appeal and urged the court to adjourn the proceedings.

The case is set to resume on October 14.

The court had, on February 24, granted the Federal Government’s application to prosecute the five defendants in absentia after they repeatedly failed to appear for trial.

Earlier, on January 21, Justice Nwite issued bench warrants for their arrest following their continued absence from court.

The terrorism case was initially struck out on July 8, 2025, for want of diligent prosecution after defence counsel successfully applied for its dismissal. However, the Federal Government subsequently applied for the matter to be restored to the court’s cause list.

In a ruling delivered on December 22, 2025, the judge granted the government’s application, holding that the motion to relist the charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/633/2024, had merit.

The Federal Government had filed an 11-count terrorism charge against eight defendants, including Bello Turji, who remains at large.

According to the prosecution, the defendants provided material support to terrorist groups allegedly led by Turji and other bandit commanders, including Kachalla Halilu, Danbokolo, Lawali, Atarwatse and Buderi.

The prosecution alleged that the suspects procured and supplied illicit drugs, including pentazocine injections and cannabis, as well as food items, military and police uniforms, camouflage clothing, boots, caps and construction materials for the terrorist groups.

They were also accused of supplying cement, roofing sheets, iron rods, nails and other building materials for camps located in forests across Zamfara, Sokoto and Kaduna states.

The charge further alleged that the defendants financed the purchase of a gun truck through a combination of cash payments and electronic transfers.

The offences are said to contravene Section 17 of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act, 2013 and are punishable under the same provision.