Court Gives Al-Qaeda-affiliated Terrorist Group Commander July 20 Deadline On Choice Of Plea

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja has given a suspected commander of Ansaru, an Al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist group, facing trial for alleged terrorism, Abubakar Abba, till July 20 to decide on whether or not to plead guilty to the terrorism -related charges filed against him.

The accused is being prosecuted by the   Department of the State Services (DSS) for terrorism.

Abubakar Abba a.k.a. Abu Bara is standing trial alongside Mahmud Usman a.k.a. Isah Adam/Mahmud Al-Nigeri on various terrorism-related offences before Justice Emeka Nwite.

The matter, which was fixed for continuation of hearing, yesterday took a dramatic turn when Abba informed the court of his intention to withdraw his earlier not guilty plea.

However, after conferring with his counsel, Husseina Tukur, Abba told the court that he was still undecided on whether to change his plea or retain the earlier one.

The prosecuting counsel, Mr David Kaswe, opposed any further adjournment, arguing that the defendant had made a similar request at the last sitting.

He urged the court to proceed with the trial should the defendant fail to make up his mind.

In a short ruling, Justice Nwite held that it was the first time the defendant’s intention to change his plea was formally brought before the court.

As the issue was for the first time being officially raised on record, said the judge, the defendant should be given the opportunity to make up his mind.

Justice Nwite subsequently adjourned the matter until July 20 for the defendant to decide on whether or not to change his plea or for continuation of hearing.

The defendants were arrested in separate operations between May and July 2025 by the DSS.

‎They were slammed with a 32-count terrorism charge, including terrorism and terrorism financing, kidnapping for ransom, illegal mining, funding terrorism, fabricating Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), among other charges.

They are accused of coordinating sleeper cells, attacks, and ties to groups in the Sahel/Maghreb.

On arraignment, Usman had pleaded guilty to one-count of illegal mining for funding terrorism/arms and was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment.

He pleaded not guilty to the remaining 31 counts while Abba pleaded not guilty to all charges.