By SUNTV Global Channel | February 2, 2026
Nine men accused of masterminding the deadly June 2025 attack on Yelwata community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State have pleaded not guilty to terrorism charges before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.
The suspects were arraigned on Monday before Justice Joyce Abdul-Malik on a 57-count amended charge bordering on terrorism, following the withdrawal of charges against one of the defendants by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, SAN.
The AGF formally discontinued proceedings against Yakubu Mamman, leaving nine defendants to face trial. Those standing trial are Ardo Lawal Mohammed, Muhammadu Saidu, Alhaji Haruna Abdullahi, Yakubu Adamu, Muhammed Musa, Abubakar Adamu, Shaibu Ibrahim, Saleh Mohammed, and Bako Jibrin.
Earlier, the Office of the AGF had announced that the suspects were strongly linked to the Yelwata killings, which reportedly claimed about 150 lives, following what it described as a painstaking, multi-agency investigation.
Appearing in court alongside the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, Fagbemi informed the court that the amended charge was dated January 19, 2026, and filed on January 20, 2026, against 10 defendants before the withdrawal of Mamman’s name.
He also applied to withdraw an earlier eight-count charge filed in September 2025. With no objection from the defence, the court struck out the earlier charge and formally discontinued proceedings against the sixth defendant.
Counsel representing the defendants included Ibrahim Angulu, SAN (first defendant), A.I. Kaura (second), Christiana Sylvester (eighth), Aminu Abubakar Bagudu (ninth), and Adamu Abdullahi, who appeared for the remaining defendants.
Following an application by the prosecution, Justice Abdul-Malik ordered that the amended charge be read to the defendants with the assistance of an interpreter, after which all nine defendants pleaded not guilty.
According to the charge, the defendants allegedly held planning meetings between May and June 2025 in Nasarawa State, which culminated in the June 13 attack on Yelwata community. The assault reportedly involved the burning of houses, infliction of grievous bodily harm, and the killing of about 150 residents.
The alleged offences are said to contravene Section 12(a) of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022.
Addressing the court, Fagbemi stated that by entering their pleas, the defendants had invoked the court’s jurisdiction under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act and applied for an accelerated hearing. He also requested that the defendants be remanded in custody pending trial.
Defence counsel made an oral application for bail, but the judge directed that formal bail applications be filed in response to the prosecution’s motion.
The prosecution disclosed that it intends to call eight witnesses during the trial.
Justice Abdul-Malik adjourned the case to February 26 and 27, 2026, for the commencement of trial and ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the determination of their bail applications.
