By Olaitan Ibrahim
The Federal Government will today (Monday) arraign five suspected terrorists linked to the notorious terrorist kingpin, Bello Turji, at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
In the charges, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/633/2024 filed before Justice Emeka Nwite, the Federal Government alleged, among others, that the suspects imported a military gun truck worth N28.5m from Libya.
The suspects, who were arrested by the Nigerian security agencies, will be arraigned by the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation before Justice 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 to engage counsel of their choice and Justice Nwite fixed Monday for their arraignment.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Federal Government, through the office of the AGF, filed 11 counts, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/633/2024, against the eight defendants, three of who are at large.
In the charge filed on December 16, Musa Kamarawa; Abubakar Hashimu, a.k.a. Doctor; Bashir Abdullahi; Samuel Chinedu and Lucky Chukwuma were listed as first to fifth defendants, respectively.
While Bello Turji, Aminu Muhammad and Sani Lawal, who are all at large, were joined as 6th to 8th defendants.
They were alleged to have provided material services to terrorist 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 N28.5m.
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.