The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the terrorism trial of two suspected leaders of the Ansaru terrorist group, Mahmud Muhammed Usman (also known as Abu Bara’a or Abbas Mukhtar) and Abubakar Abba (also known as Isah Adam or Mahmud Al-Nigeri), until 19 November.
Justice Emeka Nwite postponed Tuesday’s proceedings due to the absence of the prosecution counsel, Mohammed Abubakar, who sent a letter apologising for his inability to attend court and requested an adjournment to personally conduct the trial at the next sitting.
The defence lawyers did not object to the request, leading the court to fix the new date for the commencement of the trial.
Usman, from Okene Local Government Area of Kogi State, and Abba, from Daura Local Government Area of Katsina State, are being prosecuted by the Department of State Services (DSS) on a 32-count charge bordering on terrorism and related offences.
At their arraignment on 11 September, Usman pleaded guilty to one count relating to illegal mining activities and was convicted and sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment on that count.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the remaining 31 terrorism-related charges.
The DSS accused the pair of involvement in the bombing of Wawa Military Cantonment in Niger State, kidnapping of security personnel, and receiving terrorist training in Mali and Sudan.
They were also alleged to have engaged in terrorism financing, illegal mining, and the procurement of arms and explosives using proceeds from ransom payments and illicit mining operations.
Justice Nwite ordered that the defendants remain in DSS custody pending the continuation of the trial on 19 November.
