Suspected Terrorists Linked to Bello Turji to Face Charges in Abuja Court
Abuja—Today, the Federal Government is set to arraign five individuals accused of ties to the infamous terrorist leader, Bello Turji, at a Federal High Court in Abuja. The suspects were apprehended by Nigerian security forces and will be presented for legal proceedings by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) before Justice Emeka Nwite, who is serving as a vacation judge.
Originally scheduled for arraignment on Friday, the hearing was postponed due to the absence of legal representation for the defendants. AGF’s attorney, David Kaswe, requested a brief adjournment to allow the suspects to secure counsel of their choice, leading Justice Nwite to reschedule the arraignment for Monday.
The AGF’s office filed an 11-count charge, numbered FHC/ABJ/CR/633/2024, against the eight defendants on December 16. Among those named are Musa Kamarawa; Abubakar Hashimu, also known as Doctor; Bashir Abdullahi; Samuel Chinedu; and Lucky Chukwuma, identified as the first to fifth defendants. The charges also include Bello Turji, Aminu Muhammad, and Sani Lawal, who are currently at large and are listed as the sixth to eighth defendants.
The allegations state that the suspects provided essential services to terrorist groups led by Turji and other figures including Kachalla Halilu, Danbokolo, Lawali, Atarwatse, and Buderi. Specific offenses cited include procuring and supplying illicit substances such as injections and cannabis, as well as food items and military uniforms, including camouflage gear and boots. They are also accused of supplying building materials to terrorist camps located in the forested areas of Zamfara, Sokoto, and Kaduna States.
In one of the counts against them, Kamarawa, Muhammad (who is at large), and Lawal (also at large) allegedly facilitated acts of terrorism in 2021 by acquiring a military gun truck from Libya and providing it to terrorist Kachalla Halilu for approximately N28.5 million. The charge states that they knew or had reason to believe that this vehicle would be utilized for terrorist activities.
Additionally, in count five, Kamarawa, Hashimu, and Abdullahi face accusations of aiding and abetting terrorism by offering medical care and shelter to treat gunshot wounds sustained by Bello Turji following an attack on Tungar Kolo Village in Zamfara in 2018. This too is said to violate the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013.
The proceedings are a significant step in the ongoing battle against terrorism in Nigeria, highlighting the government’s commitment to tackling the underlying networks that support such activities.
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