PRES. TRUMP AWARDED INAUGURAL FIFA PEACE PRIZE AT WORLD CUP DRAW IN WASHINGTON . (PHOTOS).
A federal high court sitting in Abuja has adjourned the commencement of trial of two leaders of the Ansaru terrorist group, Mahmud Usman and Abubakar Abba, captured by the Department of State Services to january 15, 2026.
The trial judge, justice Emeka Nwite gave the order following pleas by counsel to the defendants for time to enable him to be served with the charges, and to study the counts' proof of evidence.
The defence counsel told the court that the charge and proof of evidence were still with the DSS where the terror suspects were being detained on the orders of the court.
The lawyer prayed the court that the two defendants be moved to a correctional centre to enable easy access and ensure prompt and hitch-free trial.
Prosecution counsel, David Kaswe, opposed the prayers of the defence counsel.
He said that protocol in the DSS required the defendant's lawyer to write to the agency seeking permission to see his clients and copy him adding that, heretofore, the lawyer had failed to do so.
Justice Nwite in a brief ruling said he would, in the interest of fair hearing, consider the submission of the defendants' counsel and move the trial a future date.
In shiftting the trial to january 15, 2026, justice Nwite ordered the defendants lawyer to always write DSS for permission to visit his clients and copy the prosecutor.
Usman and Abubakar Abba are being prosecuted for terrorism by the DSS. However, Usman has pleaded guilty to count 10 in the 32-count charge, which bordered on economic crime.
While Abubakar Abba pleaded not guilty to the 32-count charge on terrorism offences, Usman denied the remaining 31 counts.
One more photo below.
Comments
Post a Comment