The Nigerian Government is set to arraign five individuals suspected of terrorism associated with the infamous terrorist leader, Bello Turji, at a Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday.
The suspects, apprehended by security forces, will be presented by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) before Justice Emeka Nwite, who is serving as a vacation judge.
The arraignment was originally scheduled for Friday, but it was postponed due to the suspects’ lack of legal representation.
The AGF’s attorney, David Kaswe, requested a brief adjournment so the defendants could secure counsel of their choice. Consequently, Justice Nwite rescheduled the arraignment for Monday.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the administration of Bola Tinubu, through the AGF’s office, has filed an 11-count charge, designated as FHC/ABJ/CR/633/2024, against the eight defendants, three of whom remain at large.
The charge, submitted on December 16 by M.B. Abubakar, the director of the Department of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, lists Musa Kamarawa, Abubakar Hashimu (also known as Doctor), Bashir Abdullahi, Samuel Chinedu, and Lucky Chukwuma as the 1st to 5th defendants. Bello Turji, Aminu Muhammad, and Sani Lawal, who are currently at large, are identified as the 6th to 8th defendants.
The allegations against them include providing material support to terrorist organizations led by Turji, Kachalla Halilu, Danbokolo, Lawali, Atarwatse, Buderi, and others, through the procurement and supply of illegal drugs, such as penta injections and cannabis, as well as food supplies, military and police uniforms, camouflage gear, boots, caps, and construction materials.
They were also charged with supplying various materials, including bags of cement, zinc sheets, bags of nails, and M.M. iron rods, to terrorist camps situated in the forests of Zamfara, Sokoto, and Kaduna States.
This offense is reported to contravene Section 17 of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013 and is subject to penalties outlined in the same section of the Act.
In the fourth count, Kamarawa, Muhammad (currently at large), and Lawal (also at large) are alleged to have, in 2021 within Sokoto State, facilitated acts of terrorism by procuring a military gun truck from Libya and delivering it to a terrorist named Kachalla Halilu for an estimated sum of N28.5 million (N28,500,000).
It is claimed that the payment for the gun truck was made through a combination of cash and electronic transfer.
“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.
“You thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 (a) of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013 and punishable under the same section of the Act,” the count read in part.
In count five, Kamarawa, Hashimu, a.k.a Doctor, and Abdullahi, sometime in 2018 in Sokoto State, were alleged to have aided and abetted the commission of acts of terrorism by providing material services, including wound care, medication, and shelter, to treat gunshot injuries sustained by Bello Turji after he led his terrorist group to attack Tungar Kolo Village in Zurmi L.G.A. of Zamfara.
The offence is contrary to Section 8 (1) (b) of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013 and is punishable under the same section of the Act.
