Court Reopens Terrorism Case Against Suspected Bello Turji Associates

Court Reopens Terrorism Case Against Suspected Bello Turji Associates

The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted an application by the Federal Government to reopen a terrorism charge against five suspects linked to notorious terrorist kingpin Bello Turji.

Justice Emeka Nwite granted the application after ruling on a motion on notice filed by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) seeking the re-listing of the charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/633/2024, on the court’s cause list.

The judge held that the application, moved by AGF counsel, David Kaswe, was meritorious and accordingly granted it.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the charge was earlier struck out on July 8 after defence counsel made an oral application citing lack of diligent prosecution, following repeated absences of the lead prosecuting counsel.

The Federal Government had filed an 11-count terrorism charge against eight defendants, including Bello Turji, who remains at large.

The defendants named in the charge include Musa Muhammed Kamarawa, Abubakar Hashimu (a.k.a. Doctor), Bashir Abdullahi, Samuel Chinedu and Lucky Chukwuma, listed as the 1st to 5th defendants. Bello Turji, Aminu Muhammad and Sani Lawal, who are all at large, are listed as the 6th to 8th defendants.

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The suspects were accused of providing material support to terrorist groups led by Bello Turji, Kachalla Halilu, Danbokolo and others, including the supply of illicit drugs, food items, military and police uniforms, building materials, and other logistics to terrorist camps in Zamfara, Sokoto and Kaduna States.

They were also alleged to have aided the procurement of a military gun truck from Libya, valued at about ₦28.5 million, for use in terrorist operations, an offence said to be contrary to the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act, 2013.

In another count, some of the defendants were accused of providing medical care, medication and shelter to treat gunshot wounds sustained by Bello Turji after an attack on Tungar Kolo village in Zurmi LGA of Zamfara State.

Four of the suspects, who were arraigned on December 23, 2024, pleaded not guilty, prompting the court to order their remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre. Their application for bail was later refused, while the prosecution was granted witness protection and opened its case with the testimony of a protected witness identified as “ABC.”

However, the trial stalled due to the absence of the lead prosecuting counsel on several adjourned dates, leading to the case being struck out on July 8.

In seeking the re-listing of the matter, Kaswe argued that under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, the prosecution was entitled to more adjournments and had not exhausted the time allowed by law. He described the matter as one involving national security and public safety, stressing that the prosecution was ready to proceed with all witnesses and exhibits.

The defence counsel for the 1st and 2nd defendants, A.M. Lukman, did not oppose the application but requested a ₦10 million cost against the prosecution, citing prolonged detention of the defendants. The request was declined by the court.

In his ruling, Justice Nwite held that the application was properly brought and unopposed, adding that the interest of justice required that the matter be heard on its merits.

“There is no order as to cost,” the judge ruled.

The case was adjourned until January 21, 2026, for continuation of hearing.

Court Reopens Terrorism Case Against Suspected Bello Turji Associates