The Federal High Court in Abuja has approved a request by the Federal Government to revive a terrorism charge against five suspects connected to the wanted terrorist leader, Bello Turji. Justice Emeka Nwite gave the ruling after reviewing an application filed by the Attorney-General of the Federation, asking that the case be returned to the court’s hearing list.
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The charge, numbered FHC/ABJ/CR/633/2024, had earlier been struck out on July 8 after the defence complained that the prosecution failed to pursue the case properly. The government, however, asked the court to reconsider the matter, arguing that the law allowed more adjournments than were taken before the case was struck out.
The terrorism charge involves eight defendants. Five of them are currently in custody, while Bello Turji and two others remain at large. The suspects are accused of supporting terrorist groups by supplying drugs, food items, building materials, and security uniforms to camps located in Zamfara, Sokoto, and Kaduna states. They are also accused of helping to treat Turji after he was injured during an attack in Zamfara State.
One of the counts alleges that some of the defendants helped to acquire a military gun truck from Libya in 2021 and supplied it to another terrorist leader for use in attacks within Nigeria. The prosecution said payments for the vehicle were made partly in cash and partly through electronic transfers.
The defendants had earlier pleaded not guilty when they were arraigned in December 2024. They were remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre, and their bail request was later refused. The court had also ordered witness protection, and the prosecution began its case by calling a protected witness who testified in Hausa.
The trial stalled after the lead prosecutor failed to appear in court on two scheduled hearing dates due to official travel. This led to the case being struck out in July. The prosecution later returned with an application to restore the charge, stating that all witnesses and evidence were ready and that the absence in court was not deliberate.
After hearing arguments from both sides, and noting that the defence did not oppose the request, Justice Nwite ruled that the application had merit. The court ordered the case to be restored and fixed January 21, 2026, for the continuation of hearing.
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