The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday ordered the remand of six defendants in the custody of the Department of State Services after they were arraigned on a 13-count charge bordering on alleged terrorism.
At the hearing, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), informed the court that the charge was ready and sought permission for it to be read to the defendants.
Proceedings were briefly delayed when the third defendant said his lawyer was unavailable, while counsel to the sixth defendant told the court his client understood only Arabic and Hausa, prompting the need for an interpreter.
When the session resumed, all six defendants took their pleas and denied the charges, pleading not guilty to the 13-count allegations.
Following the arraignment, the prosecution requested that the defendants be remanded in DSS custody and urged the court to grant an accelerated hearing. Most defence lawyers did not oppose the request, although counsel to the first defendant indicated plans to file a bail application.
In his ruling, the trial judge granted the request for accelerated hearing and ordered that the defendants remain in DSS custody with access to their legal representatives.
The case was adjourned to April 27, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
