Court Begins Trial Of Ansaru Terror Suspects January

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has said the trial of two leaders of the Ansaru terrorist group, Mahmud Usman and Abubakar Abba, captured by the Department of State Services (DSS), will begin on January 15, 2026.

The trial was initially scheduled to commence on Wednesday. Still, it was postponed by the trial judge, following a request by counsel for the accused persons for time to serve them with the charges and to review the evidence.

At Wednesday’s proceedings, the lawyer for the accused persons, B. I Bakum told the court that the charge and proof of evidence were still with the DSS, where the terror suspects were being detained at the court’s orders.

The lawyer prayed that the two defendants be transferred to a correctional centre to facilitate easy access and ensure a prompt and smooth trial.

However, counsel to the DSS, David Kaswe, an Assistant Director in the Federal Ministry of Justice, opposed the defendants’ lawyer’s prayer.

Kasawe prayed that the court begin the trial as scheduled, since, according to him, the witnesses were present in court.

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 the lawyer had failed to do so.

Kaswe pleaded with the Judge to order the defendant’s lawyer to always respect the protocol of the DSS by writing formally for permission to visit the defendants and also copy him so that he would be of assistance.

Justice Nwite, in a brief ruling, stated that he would, in the interest of a fair hearing, consider the submission of the defendants’ lawyer and adjourn the trial to a future date.

In shifting the trial to January 15, 2026, Justice Nwite ordered the defendant’s lawyer to obtain permission from the DSS to visit his clients and to copy the prosecutor.

Usman and Abubakar Abba are being prosecuted for terrorism by the DSS. However, Usman has pleaded guilty to Count 10 of the 32-count charge, which involved an economic crime.

While Abubakar Abba pleaded not guilty to the 32-count charge on terrorism offences, Usman denied the remaining 31 counts.

Usman was sentenced to 15 years in prison on September 11 after pleading guilty to one count of the charge against him.