Court reopens terrorism trial linked to Bello Turji

The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted the federal government’s application to reopen a terrorism case against five suspects allegedly linked to notorious bandit leader Bello Turji.

Justice Emeka Nwite approved the request on a motion filed by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), ordering that the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/633/2024 be re-listed on the court’s cause list.

The judge held that the application, argued by AGF counsel David Kaswe, was meritorious.

The case had been struck out on 8 July after defence lawyers sought its dismissal for lack of diligent prosecution, following the prosecution’s repeated absence from court.

The federal government filed 11 terrorism-related counts against eight defendants, including Bello Turji, who remains at large. The charge, filed on 16 December 2024 by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, M.B. Abubakar, lists Musa Muhammed Kamarawa, Abubakar Hashimu (also known as Doctor), Bashir Abdullahi, Samuel Chinedu and Lucky Chukwuma as defendants. Others named—Turji, Aminu Muhammad and Sani Lawal—are still at large.

Prosecutors allege the suspects provided material support to terrorist groups led by Turji and other bandit leaders, including the supply of illicit drugs, food items, uniforms and construction materials to camps in forests across Zamfara, Sokoto and Kaduna states. The offences are said to contravene Sections 17 and 18(a) of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act, 2013.

In one count, the prosecution alleges that Kamarawa, Muhammad and Lawal helped acquire a military gun truck from Libya in 2021 for a known terrorist leader, at a cost of about ₦28.5 million, knowing it would be used for terrorist activities. Another count accuses Kamarawa, Hashimu and Abdullahi of providing medical care and shelter to Turji after an attack in Zamfara State in 2018.

Four defendants—Kamarawa, Hashimu, Chinedu and Chukwuma—were arraigned on 23 December 2024 and pleaded not guilty. The court ordered their remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre and later denied their bail applications. The prosecution opened its case on 14 March, calling a protected witness identified as “ABC.”

The trial stalled on 23 and 26 May due to the absence of lead prosecutor Kaswe, who later informed the court he had travelled for official duties. When the matter resumed on 8 July and the prosecution was again absent, the court struck out the case.

In seeking reinstatement, Kaswe argued that under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, the prosecution was entitled to additional adjournments and had not exhausted them. He also contended that the case should be determined on its merits, citing national security concerns and the international dimension of the alleged offences.

Justice Nwite agreed, ordering the case to be re-listed to allow continuation of trial. Defence counsel A.M. Lukman, representing the first and second defendants, did not oppose the application.