The Federal High Court in Abuja has postponed the trial of an alleged terrorism suspect, Abubakar Abdulkadir, also known as Julde, to February 17, 2025. The adjournment was made to allow time for the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, to respond in the ongoing proceedings.
Abdulkadir and six co-defendants are facing prosecution by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) on 19 counts related to terrorism and kidnapping. The charges, filed under case number FHC/ABJ/CR/417/2023, list the accused as Adamu Musa (aka Dan Anacha), Muhammed Haladu, Sale Gagare, Musa Muhammadu, Babawuro Mukawo, Saidu Abubakar, and others still at large.
According to the prosecution, the defendants conspired between February and November 2022 to carry out acts of terrorism in Sabon Gida village, located in Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State. The charges allege that they were responsible for kidnapping Alhaji Maidabo Zide and other residents, crimes punishable under the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022.
The accused are also charged with murder, extortion of ransom, and theft of livestock, motorcycles, and vehicles belonging to their victims. One of the charges details an attack in December 2022 in Bali Local Government Area, where the defendants allegedly invaded Jatau village armed with firearms and machetes, killing Muhammadu Umar and Bagudu Umar while stealing 26 cows and food supplies. These actions violate Section 2(2)(a) and are punishable under Section 24(2)(b) of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022.
At Thursday’s court session, IGP’s counsel, Audu Garba, informed Justice Emeka Nwite that the hearing was originally scheduled for cross-examination of the second prosecution witness. However, he confirmed that the case file had been transferred to the AGF’s office, which is now responsible for prosecution.
“My Lord, this matter is for the cross-examination of PW-2. The AGF has requested the case file, and it has been officially transferred,” Garba stated.
Justice Nwite acknowledged receiving a letter from the AGF’s office requesting a brief adjournment until January 29. However, due to the court’s schedule, the next hearing was set for February 17.
While defense counsels did not object to the adjournment, Manjok Agom, representing the first, second, and fourth defendants, argued that the case should be struck out, as the prosecution should now be handled by the AGF rather than the IGP.
“My Lord, our application is for the case to be struck out. The AGF should be present in court today, not the IG prosecuting the case,” Agom asserted.
In response, Justice Nwite clarified that the case could not be dismissed since it had already been handed over to the new prosecutor, who was not in court.
“Why are we striking it out? The AGF has written a letter requesting an adjournment,” the judge stated.
The matter was officially adjourned until February 17, 2025, for a status report from the Attorney-General’s office.
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