The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday dismissed four bail applications brought by suspects tied to infamous bandit mastermind Bello Turji.
In a verdict, Justice Emeka Nwite stated that the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), who is prosecuting the charge, had built a strong case against the defendants, claiming that releasing them would pose a significant threat to national security.
Justice Nwite concurred with counsel to the AGF, David Kaswe, who argued that, while granting bail is at the court’s discretion, it must be handled judicially and prudently.
Justice Nwite, who granted a speedy hearing for their trial, rejected the bail petition.
The judge also granted Kaswe’s ex parte plea for the protection of the witnesses, as the trial begins immediately.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, Kaswe argued on February 10 that the accused would abscond if given bail.
The lawyer contended that there was proof that the defendants played key roles in Bello Turji’s terrorism activities in the country’s north.
He stated that if granted bail, the defendants may interfere with the evidence.
He emphasised that bail is not an absolute right, especially when it comes to national security.
He stated that when examining bail applications, the court should also consider the nature of the offence, the harshness of the punishment, and other criteria.
He stated that the evidence against the defendants was very strong, as they are facing terrorism charges.
The lawyer urged the court to take judicial notice that some of the other defendants remained at large.
He said, “Chief among them is the 6th defendant, Bello Turji, who continues to cause mayhem and havoc to innocent Nigerians and has become a threat to national security.”
Justice Nwite delivered the verdict, noting that he was conscious of the constitution’s provision that a person accused of a criminal act is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
The judge, however, stated that all facts must be weighed.
According to NAN, on December 23, 2024, Justice Nwite ordered the remand of four alleged terrorists in Kuje Correctional Centre.
The judge issued the order after the defendants pleaded not guilty to the 11-count terrorism-related allegation at their arraignment.
Justice Nwite then deferred the case until February 10 for trial.
According to NAN, when the 11 charges were read to the four accused, Musa Kamarawa, Abubakar Hashimu, a.k.a. Doctor, Samuel Chinedu, and Lucky Chukwuma, they denied involvement in the offences.
Although eight defendants were mentioned in the accusation, three of them, including Bello Turji, remained at large.
However, immediately after the court registrar called the case, just four defendants appeared in court.
Justice Nwite then enquired about the location of Bashir Abdullahi, the third defendant.
Kaswe then informed the court that Abdullahi was also at large.
As a result, the lawyer asked the court for permission to enter “at large” for Abdullahi, and the judge accepted the oral application after the defence counsel did not object.
According to NAN, the FG filed the 11-count complaint, FHC/ABJ/CR/633/2024, against the eight defendants, four of whom are still at large.
Musa Muhammad Kamarawa, Abubakar Hashimu, a.k.a. Doctor, Samuel Chinedu, and Lucky Chukwuma were sued as the first, second, fourth, and fifth defendants in a charge filed on December 16 by M.B. Abubakar, Director of the Federation’s Department of Public Prosecution.
Bashir Abdullahi, Bello Turji, Aminu Muhammad, and Sani Lawal, all at large, are named as the third, sixth, seventh, and eighth defendants, respectively.
In count one, Musa Kamarawa, Abubakar Hashimu, aka Doctor, Bashir Abdullahi, Samuel Chinedu, Lucky Chukwuma, Bello Turji (at large), Aminu Muhammad (at large), and Sani Lawal (at large) were accused of conspiring to commit the terror act between 2018 and 2022 in Sokoto.
They were accused of providing material support to terrorist groups led by Turji, Kachalla Halilu, Danbokolo, Lawali, Atarwatse, Buderi, and others by obtaining and supplying illicit drugs such as penta injections and cannabis plants (also known as Indian hemp), as well as food, military and police uniforms, and camouflage.
They were also accused of supplying terrorist camps in the forests of Zamfara, Sokoto, and Kaduna states with boots, caps, and building goods such as bags of cement, roofing zinc, bags of nails, and M.M. iron rod.
The offence is said to violate Section 17 of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013 and is penalised 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 obtaining a military gun truck from Libya and supplying it to a terrorist, Kachalla Halilu, for approximately N28.5 million (28,500,000).
They were accused of paying for the gun truck in cash and with an electronic transfer.
According to the federal government, the offence violates law 18(a) of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013 and is penalised under the same law.
The prosecution further claimed that the offence violates Section 8 (1) (b) of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013 and is punishable under that section.
