A Federal High Court in Abuja has officially proscribed the Lakurawa sect, declaring it a terrorist organization and extending the ban to similar groups across Nigeria, with a specific focus on the North West and North Central regions.
Justice James Omotosho, in his ruling on the ex-parte originating summons submitted by Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice on Thursday in Abuja.
According to the judge, “It is hereby ordered as follows:An order is issued declaring the activities of the Lakurawa sect and similar groups in any part of Nigeria, particularly in the North West and North Central regions, as acts of terrorism and illegality.”
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“That an order is hereby made proscribing the existence of the Lakurawa and other similar groups in any part of Nigeria, especially In the North West and North Central Regions of Nigeria either in groups or as Individuals by whatsoever names they are called and publishing same in the Official Gazette and two (2) National Dailies.
“That an order is hereby made proscribing any person or group of persons from participating in any manner whatsoever in any form of activities evolving or concerning the prosecution of the collective intention or otherwise of the Lakurawa under any other name or platform however called or described.
“That an order is hereby made proscribing ali other groups in Nigeria by whatever name called with similar objectives as the Lakurawa which Include but not limited to banditry, kidnapping for ransom, kidnapping for marriage, mass abduction of school children and other citizens, cattle rustling,,enslavement, imprisonment, severe deprivation of physical liberty, torture, rape, sexual slavery, enforced prostitution, forced pregnancy, other forms of sexual violence, attacks and killings n communities , commuters and wanton destruction of lives and properties in Nigeria.”
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In the ex-parte application marked FHC/ABJ/CS/41/2025, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) sought four orders, all of which were granted by the court. The motion, dated January 13 and filed on January 14, was moved by David Kaswe, an Assistant Director at the Federal Ministry of Justice, on behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (PPF), M.B. Abubakar.
The affidavit supporting the originating summons was sworn by Michael Akawu, a litigation officer in the Department of Public Prosecutions, who stated that he had obtained the consent of the PPF Director to make the declarations. Akawu detailed that the Lakurawa sect/group had been involved in acts of terrorism, including cattle rustling, kidnapping for ransom, hostage-taking, attacks on top government officials and security personnel, and efforts to spread their ideology within local communities. He further stated that they encouraged locals to disregard authorities, resulting in harm, injuries, and loss of lives and property to innocent citizens of Nigeria.
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Akawu noted that the activities of the Lakurawa sect/group posed a serious threat to national security, public peace, and order in Nigeria. Based on these grounds, he expressed his belief that the group met the criteria for proscription under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act. He concluded that proscribing the Lakurawa sect/group would serve the best interest of justice, peace, and national security in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
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