The Federal Government has arraigned four suspects linked to notorious bandit leader Bello Turji on terrorism charges.
The suspects, identified as Musa Muhammad Kamarawa, Abubakar Hashimu, also known as Doctor, Samuel Chinedu, and Lucky Chukwuma, appeared before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday.
However, the accused individuals pleaded not guilty to the 11 counts filed against them, including accusations of their involvement in acts of terrorism.
The Federal Government initially filed charges against eight individuals, including Bello Turji, who remains at large.
Meanwhile, only the four defendants were present in court when the case was called.
Justice Nwite inquired about the whereabouts of Bashir Abdullahi, the third defendant in the case.
David Kaswe, representing the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), informed the court that Abdullahi was also at large. Kaswe acknowledged the error and apologised to the court.
The lawyer then requested the court’s permission to enter “at large” for Abdullahi, and the judge granted the oral application.
The Federal Government, through the AGF’s office, had filed an 11-count charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/633/2024, against the eight defendants, four of whom are still at large.
The charge, filed on December 16 by M.B. Abubakar, Director of the Department of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, listed Musa Muhammad Kamarawa, Abubakar Hashimu, aka Doctor, Samuel Chinedu, and Lucky Chukwuma as the 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th defendants.
Bashir Abdullahi, Bello Turji, Aminu Muhammad, and Sani Lawal, who are all still at large, are listed as the 3rd, 6th, 7th, and 8th defendants.
