December 22, (THEWILL) — The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted the Federal Government’s application to reopen a terrorism case against five suspects allegedly linked to notorious terrorist kingpin, Bello Turji.
Justice Emeka Nwite gave the ruling after upholding a motion on notice filed by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), seeking an order to re-list the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/633/2024 on the court’s cause list. The application was moved by counsel to the AGF, David Kaswe.
In his ruling, Justice Nwite held that the application was meritorious and deserved to be granted in the interest of justice, public safety and national security.
The charge had earlier been struck out on July 8, 2025, following an oral application by defence counsel for want of diligent prosecution.
THEWILL reports that the Federal Government had filed an 11-count terrorism charge against eight defendants, including Bello Turji, who remains at large. The defendants are accused of providing material support to terrorist groups operating across Zamfara, Sokoto and Kaduna States.
Those currently facing trial include Musa Muhammed Kamarawa, Abubakar Hashimu (also known as Doctor), Bashir Abdullahi, Samuel Chinedu and Lucky Chukwuma, who were listed as first to fifth defendants. Bello Turji, Aminu Muhammad and Sani Lawal, all said to be at large, were named as the sixth to eighth defendants, respectively.
According to the prosecution, the suspects allegedly supplied illicit drugs, food items, military and police uniforms, camouflage, boots, caps and building materials to terrorist groups led by Turji and other notorious bandit leaders, including Kachalla Halilu. They were also accused of providing construction materials such as cement, zinc, nails and iron rods to terrorist camps hidden in forest locations.
The prosecution further alleged that some of the defendants aided and abetted acts of terrorism by procuring and supplying a military gun truck from Libya at a cost of about N28.5 million, as well as offering medical care and shelter to Bello Turji after he sustained gunshot injuries during an attack in Zamfara State.
Four of the suspects, who were arraigned on December 23, 2024, pleaded not guilty to the charges and were remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre. Their bail applications were later rejected, while the court granted an order for witness protection. The prosecution had also opened its case and called its first witness before proceedings stalled due to the absence of the lead prosecuting counsel on scheduled hearing dates.
In urging the court to restore the case, Kaswe argued that the prosecution was entitled to additional adjournments under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, and stressed that the case should be determined on its merits. He assured the court of the prosecution’s readiness to proceed with witnesses and exhibits.
The defence counsel for the first and second defendants, A.M. Lukman, did not oppose the application, though he raised concerns over the length of the defendants’ detention and requested costs against the prosecution.
Delivering his ruling, Justice Nwite agreed with the prosecution’s submissions, noting the absence of opposition to the application and the seriousness of the allegations.
“I am of the view, and I so hold that this application is meritorious and accordingly granted. There is no order as to cost”, the judge ruled.
The case was subsequently adjourned until January 21, 2026, for continuation of the hearing.
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