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The Federal Government will today arraign five suspected terrorists allegedly linked to the notorious terrorist leader, Bello Turji, at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The suspects are facing an 11-count charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/633/2024, which includes the importation of a military gun truck worth N28.5 million from Libya. Three additional defendants involved in the case remain at large.
The charges, filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), allege that the suspects were part of a network facilitating terrorism in Nigeria.
The arraignment will take place before Justice Emeka Nwite, a vacation judge, who had initially scheduled the hearing for Friday. However, the suspects could not take their plea as no legal representation was available for them.
The AGF’s lawyer, David Kaswe, sought a short adjournment to allow the defendants to secure legal counsel. Justice Nwite then adjourned the case to Monday.
The Federal Government alleges that the suspects played critical roles in aiding Bello Turji’s network, including importing the military-grade vehicle from Libya.
In the charge filed on December 16, Musa Kamarawa; Abubakar Hashimu, a.k.a. Doctor; Bashir Abdullahi; Samuel Chinedu and Lucky Chukwuma were listed as first to fifth defendants, respectively.
While Bello Turji, Aminu Muhammad and Sani Lawal, who are all at large, were joined as 6th to 8th defendants.
They were alleged to have provided material services to terrorists groups led by Turji, Kachalla Halilu, Danbokolo, Lawali, Atarwatse, Buderi and others, by procuring and supplying illicit drugs, including penta injections and cannabis plants (aka Indian hemp); food items; military and police uniforms, camouflage, boots, caps and building materials.
They were also accused of providing bags of cement, cover zinc, bags of nails, M.M. iron rod, etc., to terrorist camps in the forests located in Zamfara, Sokoto and Kaduna States.
The offence is said to be contrary to Section 17 of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013 and punishable under the same section of the Act.
In count four, Kamarawa, Muhammad (at large) and Lawal (at large), sometime in 2021 in Sokoto State, allegedly aided and abetted the commission of acts of terrorism by acquiring a military gun truck from Libya and supplying same to a terrorist, Kachalla Halilu, at a cost of approximately N28.5m.
They were alleged to have paid for the gun truck partly in cash and partly via 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 punishable under the same section of the Act.
