23rd December, 2024
By Taiye Agbaje
Four suspects said to be associates of notorious Zamfara terrorist kingpin, Bello Turji identified as Musa Muhammad Kamarawa; Abubakar Hashimu, a.k.a. Doctor; Samuel Chinedu and Lucky Chukwuma, pleaded not guilty to charges bordering on alleged terrorism before Justice Emeka Nwite of a Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday.
The suspects pleaded guilty after the 11 counts bordering on allegations of involvement in terrorism were read to them.
The Federal Government had earlier listed eight defendants on the face of the charge, three of them, including Bello Turji, were at large.
However, shortly after the court registrar called the case, only four defendants were in court.
Justice Nwite then asked about the whereabouts of Bashir Abdullahi, who is the 3rd defendant.
David Kaswe, who appeared for the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), told the court that Abdullahi was also at large.
Kaswe, who acknowledged the mistake, apologised to the court.
The lawyer, therefore, sought the leave of the court to enter “at large” for Abdullahi and the judge granted the oral application.
The FG, through the office of the AGF, had filed the 11-count charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/633/2024 against the eight defendants, four of who are at large.
In the charge dated and filed on Dec. 16 by M.B. Abubakar, Director, Department of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Musa Muhammad Kamarawa; Abubakar Hashimu, a.k.a. Doctor; Samuel Chinedu and Lucky Chukwuma were sued as 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th defendants.
While Bashir Abdullahi, Bello Turji, Aminu Muhammad and Sani Lawal, who are all at large, are sued as 3rd, 6th, 7th and 8th defendants respectively.(NAN)