By TAIYE AGBAJE

The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday, fixed May 5 to continue the trial of Abdulazeez Obadaki, a member of Ansaru terrorist group and suspected mastermind of the June 12, 2012 attack on a Deeper Life Bible Church Okene in Kogi.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik adjourned the case following an application by the prosecution lawyer, David Kaswe, for an adjournment to enable him to study the case file.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the gun attack left at least 19 worshippers, including the pastor dead, while several others were injured.

Obadaki, who was arrested after the attack, alongside other members of his terror group detained at the Kuje Correctional Centre, escaped after the centre was attacked by persons suspected to belong to his terror group.

Upon resumed hearing, Kaswe told the court that the matter was scheduled for arraignment of the defendant on six-count charge bordering on terrorism dated Dec. 11, 2025.

However , U. K. Okeudo, who represented the defendant, said that the matter was slated for trial and that they had obtained the certified true copies of the proceedings.

Kaswe, who said the case file had just been transferred from the Department of State Services (DSS), applied for a date to enable him to study it.

Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter until May 8 for commencement of trial.

The DSS had, on Nov. 21, 2025, arraigned Obadaki on charges bordering on terrorism.

The defendant, after his Kuje prison break, was also alleged to have masterminded attacks on four commercial banks in Edo State.

NAN reports that Obadaki, popularly called Bomboy, was alleged to be a member of Ansaru terror group.

In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/629/2025, the defendant was said to have joined the terror group through “one Abu Muhsab” in count one.

The offence is contrary to Section 16(1) of the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act, 2013.

Count two alleged that Obadaki, 42, committed the offence, where he had information he knew to be of material assistance in securing the apprehension of Abu Muhsab, a terrorist, and failed to disclose the information to any relevant security agency.

The offence is contrary to Section 8 (1) (b) of the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act, 2013.

In count three, he was alleged to have, sometime around February 23, 2022, rendered support to a terrorist group by encouraging and assuring Abu Muhsab and his gang to engage in acts of terrorism, culminating in attacks on four branches of commercial banks in Edo.

The banks include First Bank, United Bank for Africa, Union Bank and Zenith Bank, all located along Market road, Uromi, Esan North-East LGA in Edo and after which the sum of N300 000.00 was sent to him as his share of the proceeds of the attack via his Guaranty Trust Bank account number: 0265399669.

The offence is said to be contrary to Section 5 (1) (a) of the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act, 2013.)

Count five accused the defendant of conspiring with Abu Muhsab and other members of his gang (now at large), sometimes in July 2022, to attack the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja, leading to his escape as well as other detainees who were held in lawful custody at the facility, thereby violating Section 516 of the Criminal Code Act.

In count six, Obadaki was alleged to have, on or about July 5, 2022, escaped from Nigeria’s Custodial Centre, Kuje, where he was held in lawful custody facing terrorism charges.

The offence is said to be contrary to Section 135 of the Criminal Code Act.

Obadaki pleaded guilty to count six, which is escape from lawful custody and however, pleaded not guilty to the other five counts when they were read out to him.

Following Obadaki’s plea, Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter until January 26, 2026, to enable the court review facts relating to the count he pleaded guilty to, and to hear those he pleaded not guilty to.

The court ordered that the suspect be remanded in the custody of the DSS until the next adjourned date.(NAN)

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