by Nurat Uthman
The Federal Government will, today, arraign five suspected terrorists linked to the notorious terrorist kingpin, Bello Turji, at a Federal High Court, in Abuja.
The suspects, who were arrested by the Nigerian security agencies, will be arraigned by the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) before Justice Emeka Nwite, a vacation judge.
Although they were scheduled for arraignment on Friday, their plea could not be taken because no lawyer appeared for them.
AGF’s lawyer, David Kaswe, sought for a short adjournment to enable them engaged counsel of their choice and Justice Nwite fixed Monday for their arraignment.
The government through the office of the AGF, had filed the 11-count charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/633/2024 against the eight defendants, three of who are at large.
In the charge filed on December 16 by M.B. Abubakar, the Director of the Department of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Musa Kamarawa; Abubakar Hashimu, a.k.a. Doctor; Bashir Abdullahi; Samuel Chinedu and Lucky Chukwuma were sued as first to fifth defendants respectively.
While Bello Turji, Aminu Muhammad and Sani Lawal, who are all at large, are sued as 6th to 8th defendants.
They were alleged to have provided material services to terrorists groups led by Turji, Kachalla Halilu, Danbokolo, Lawali, Atarwatse, Buderi and others, by procuring and supplying illicit drugs, including penta injections and cannabis plants (aka indian hemp); food items; military and police uniforms, camouflage, boots, caps and building materials.
They were also accused of providing bags of cement, cover zinc, bags of nails, M.M. iron rod, etc., to terrorist camps in the forests located in Zamfara, Sokoto and Kaduna States.
The offence is said to be contrary to Section 17 of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013 and punishable under the same section of the Act.
In count four, Kamarawa, Muhammad (at large) and Lawal (at large), sometime in 2021 in Sokoto State, allegedly aided and abetted the commission of acts of terrorism by acquiring a military gun truck from Libya and supplying same to a terrorist, Kachalla Halilu, at a cost of approximately N28.5 million (28,500,000).
They were alleged to have paid for the gun truck partly in cash and partly via electronic transfer.
“And which you knew or had reason to believe that this vehicle would be used by Kachalla Halilu, a known terrorist, to commit acts of terrorism.
“You thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 (a) of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013 and punishable under the same section of the Act,” the count read in part.
In count five, Kamarawa, Hashimu a.k.a Doctor, and Abdullahi, sometime in 2018 in Sokoto State, were alleged to have aided and abetted the commission of acts of terrorism by providing material services, including wound care, medication, and shelter, to treat gunshot injuries sustained by Bello Turji after he led his terrorist group to attack Tungar Kolo Village in Zurmi L.G.A. of Zamfara.
The offence is contrary to Section 8 (1) (b) of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013 and punishable under the same section of the Act.
