Court remands suspected terrorists linked to Bello Turji

A Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday, ordered the remand of four suspected terrorists linked to infamous bandit leader Bello Turji at the Kuje Correctional Centre.

The ruling was delivered by Justice Emeka Nwite after the suspects pleaded not guilty to an 11-count charge, including allegations of terrorism.

Following their pleas, Justice Nwite directed that the defendants remain in custody and adjourned the case for trial to February 10.

The four suspects; Musa Muhammad Kamarawa; Abubakar Hashimu, a.k.a. Doctor; Samuel Chinedu and Lucky Chukwuma, denied their involvement in the offences with which they were charged when the 11 counts were read to them.

Though eight defendants were listed on the face of the charge, three of them, including Bello Turji, were at large.

However, shortly after the court registrar called the case, only four defendants were in court.

Justice Nwite then asked about the whereabouts of Bashir Abdullahi, who is the 3rd defendant.

David Kaswe, who appeared for the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), told the court that Abdullahi was also at large.

Kaswe, who acknowledged the mistake, apologised to the court.

The lawyer, therefore, sought the leave of the court to enter “at large” for Abdullahi and the judge granted the oral application after it was not opposed by the defence lawyers.

The FG, through the office of the AGF, had filed the 11-count charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/633/2024 against the eight defendants, four of who are at large

In the charge dated and filed on Dec. 16 by M.B. Abubakar, Director, Department of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Musa Muhammad Kamarawa; Abubakar Hashimu, a.k.a. Doctor; Samuel Chinedu and Lucky Chukwuma were sued as 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th defendants.

While Bashir Abdullahi, Bello Turji, Aminu Muhammad and Sani Lawal, who are all at large, are sued as 3rd, 6th, 7th and 8th defendants respectively.

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Upon resumed hearing, Kaswe informed the court that the matter was scheduled for arraignment of the defendants and that they were ready to proceed.

He said the defendants had been duly served with the charge.
“We have 11-count charge. May I seek the leave of the court for the charge to be read to the defendants,” he prayed.

But A.M. Lukman, who appeared for the 1st, 2nd and 4th defendants (Kamarawa, Hashimu and Chinedu), told the court that a preliminary objection had been filed against the charge.

The lawyer urged the court to hear their objection.

“What is the objection all about?” Justice Nwite asked.

Responding, Lukman said: “It is on the issue of territorial jurisdiction of this honourable court my lord “

“Is that what the law says,” the judge asked.

Kaswe, who represented the AGF, opposed Lukman’s application on the ground that it was not ripe for hearing.

“Counsel has just served me with the application this morning. It is not ripe for hearing my lord,” he argued.

Justice Nwite, who aligned with Kaswe’s submission, directed the charge to be read to the defendants.

Hashimu, a.k.a. Doctor, however told the court that he did not understand English Language and the counts were read in English and Hausa to the defendants to take their plea.

After they pleaded not guilty to the counts, A.I. Mohammed, who appeared for the 5th defendant (Chukwuma), sought a short adjournment to enable them file their clients’ bail application.

But the judge assured them that the application would be heard as soon as they were ready.

In count one, Musa Muhammad Kamarawa; Abubakar Hashimu, aka Doctor; Bashir Abdullahi; Samuel Chinedu; Lucky Chukwuma; Bello Turji (at large); Aminu Muhammad (at large) and Sani Lawal (at large), sometime between 2018 and 2022 in Sokoto State, were alleged to have conspired among themselves to commit the terror act.

They were alleged to have provided material services to terrorists 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.

They were also alleged to have supplied , boots, caps and building materials, including 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 N28.5 million (28,500,000).

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.

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.

Court remands suspected terrorists linked to Bello Turji

(NAN)

Atiku accuses Tinubu of making Buhari’s borrowing mistakes

Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s 2025 budget proposal, accusing him of repeating his predecessor Muhammadu Buhari’s borrowing mistakes. 

Atiku, who scrutinised the budget, claimed that it lacked the fundamental reforms and budgetary discipline required to confront Nigeria’s complex economic problems.

In a statement released on Sunday, Atiku questioned the budget’s ability to promote long-term economic growth or address the country’s long-standing issues.

On Wednesday, President Bola Tinubu delivered an N47.9 trillion budget proposal to a joint session of the National Assembly.

The proposed budget sets aside N4.91 trillion for military and security, N4.06 trillion for infrastructure, N2.48 trillion for health, and N3.52 trillion for education.

AtikuE criticised the budget proposal, saying it reflected a continuation of “business-as-usual” fiscal practices, which he claimed had persisted under the All Progressives Congress-led administration since 2016.

He contended that these tactics had resulted in chronic budget deficits and an increased reliance on foreign borrowing.

“To bridge this fiscal gap, the administration plans to secure over N13tn in new borrowings, including N9tn in direct loans and N4tn in project-specific financing.

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“This borrowing strategy mirrors the approach of previous administrations, leading to escalating public debt and compounding risks related to interest payments and foreign exchange exposure,” Atiku added.

The former Vice President emphasised the budget’s reliance on deficit financing, noting that it estimates N48 trillion in expenditures against a revenue prediction of N35 trillion, resulting in a deficit of more than N13 trillion—equivalent to 4% of the country’s GDP.

Atiku attacked the 2024 budget’s underperformance, which he attributed to weak execution capabilities.

“By the third quarter of 2024, less than 35% of the capital expenditure allocated to ministries, departments, and agencies had been disbursed, despite claims of 85% budget implementation. This raises concerns about the effective execution of the 2025 budget.

“The 2025 budget lacks the structural reforms and fiscal discipline required to address Nigeria’s multifaceted economic challenges.

“To enhance its credibility, the administration must prioritise reducing inefficiencies in government operations, tackling contract inflation, and focusing on long-term fiscal sustainability rather than perpetuating unsustainable borrowing and recurrent spending patterns.”

He also voiced concern about the allocation of N15.8 trillion (33% of total expenditure) to debt servicing, noting that it is roughly equivalent to the anticipated capital investment of N16 trillion (34%).

“This imbalance undermines fiscal stability, crowds out essential investments, and perpetuates a cycle of increasing borrowing.

“The government’s recurrent expenditure, which accounts for over N14tn (30% of the budget), remains disproportionately high, according to Atiku.

“This reflects the continued operation of an oversized bureaucracy and inefficient public enterprises, leaving limited resources for development projects,” Atiku said.

He further mentioned the inadequacy of capital spending, stating, “After accounting for debt servicing and recurrent expenditure, the remaining funds for capital spending—representing 25% to 34% of the total budget—are insufficient to address Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit or stimulate growth.

“This equates to an average capital allocation of N80,000 (approximately $45) per capita, which is inadequate for a country grappling with slow economic growth and infrastructural underdevelopment.”

He condemned the administration’s decision to increase the VAT rate from 7.5% to 10%, calling it a regressive measure that would exacerbate the cost-of-living crisis and impede economic growth.

“By imposing additional tax burdens on an already struggling populace, without addressing inefficiencies in governance, the government risks stifling domestic consumption and deepening economic hardship,” Atiku said.

Atiku advocated for a transition towards disciplined and growth-orientated fiscal policies, highlighting the need to reduce waste, improve the efficiency of public spending, and prioritise investments in important industries.

He finished by pushing the administration to reconsider its borrowing policy and implement changes that would ensure long-term fiscal sustainability and economic growth.

Soldiers kill 13 IPOB members, arrest 3 kidnappers in South-East

Troops of the Joint Task Force South-East, codenamed “Operation UDO KA,” have successfully neutralized 13 armed members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and apprehended three kidnappers in the region.

The task force’s spokesman, Lt. Col. Jonah Unuakhalu, announced the development in a statement on Monday in Enugu.

He noted that the operation was part of ongoing clearance efforts to ensure safety and peace across the South-East during the festive season.

“Remember, security is everybody’s business. It is not in the hands of security agencies alone.

“When you see something, say something by calling the JTF Operation UDO KA’s toll-free line -193 and press Option 2—to speak directly to Headquarters Operation UDO KA,” he said.

On operational details, Unuakhalu said that troops of Sector 1 of the task force on December 21, conducted an ambush operation along Amouka-Umouka Road in 9th Mile, Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, to deny kidnappers freedom of action.

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According to him, during the operation, troops came into contact with the kidnappers, and in the ensuing firefight, the troops neutralised one while others escaped with gunshot wounds.

“Items recovered at the scene were: one AK-47 rifle, two magazines, and 17 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition; two cell phones; one power bank; three ATM cards; one wristwatch; a bunch of keys; and the sum of N8,900,” he said.

The spokesman also said that on December 16, troops of Sector 5 conducted a clearance operation within Mbosi and Isseke general areas in the Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra, where three IPOB members were neutralised.

“Items recovered included: one AK-47 rifle, two loaded AK-47 magazines, and three Dane guns, while a house belonging to one of the irredentist commanders and a shrine used for their fortification were destroyed.

“The gallant troops had earlier recovered five water gel Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and two batteries used for detonating the IEDs while on routine patrol along roads within Ihiala-Orlu, Lilu, Agba Lilu, and Orsumoghu general areas in Anambra State.”

He explained that on December 14, troops acting on credible and reliable information from members of the public arrested three suspected kidnappers at Itungwa in the Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia.

He said that on receiving the information about the movement of the suspected kidnappers, troops quickly mounted a snap checkpoint to apprehend the suspects.

“The suspects operating in a stolen tricycle on sighting the troops attempted to make a U-turn but were apprehended.

“Items recovered included: one AK-47 rifle, one G3 rifle, one locally-made single-barrel pistol, 10 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, 34 rounds of 5.5mm ammunition, two AK-47 rifle magazines, two G3 rifle magazines, and one live cartridge.

“Other items recovered were: one mobile phone, the sum of N6,600, and two Knapsack bags used for concealing the weapons,” he said.

Soldiers kill 13 IPOB members, arrest 3 kidnappers in South-East

(NAN)