By TAIYE AGBAJE

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday fixed Oct. 14 for the trial of five suspects linked to the notorious terrorist kingpin, Bello Turji, in absentia.

Justice Emeka Nwite fixed the date following an oral application by the Federal Government’s lawyer, David Kaswe, to the effect.

The suspects are Musa Kamarawa, Abubakar Hashimu, a.k.a. Doctor; Bashir Abdullahi; Samuel Chinedu and Lucky Chukwuma.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Justice Nwite had, on Feb. 24, granted the application filed by the Federal Government to prosecute the five suspects linked to Turji in absentia following their failure to appear for their trial.

The judge granted the request after Kaswe moved the application.

When the case was called on Thursday, only Kaswe, a lawyer from the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, was in court.

The lawyer observed that since the trial might not be concluded before the judge’s elevation to the Court of Appeal, the case should be adjourned.

NAN reports that the judge had, on Jan. 21, issued a bench warrant for the arrest of the five suspects standing trial, following their refusal to appear in court.

Justice Nwite made the order after Kaswe, moved the oral application to the effect.

The development followed the absence of the defendants in court to stand trial.

The judge had, on Dec. 22, 2025, granted an application filed by the Federal Government to reopen the terrorism charge filed against the five suspects.

Justice Nwite granted the application in a ruling on the motion on notice filed by Kaswe, seeking an order re-listing the charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/633/2024, in the cause list of the court.

The judge held that the motion, moved by Kaswe was meritorious.

The charge was struck out on July 8, 2025, by the judge after the defence counsel moved an oral application to the effect for lack of diligent prosecution.

The Federal Government, through the AGF, had preferred an 11-count terrorism charge against eight defendants, including Bello Turji, who is still at large.

The suspects were alleged to have provided material services to terrorist groups led by Turji, Kachalla Halilu, Danbokolo, Lawali, Atarwatse, Buderi and others.

They were accused of procuring and supplying illicit drugs, including penta injections and cannabis plants (aka Indian hemp); food items; military and police uniforms, camouflage, boots, caps and building materials for the terror groups.

They were also accused of providing bags of cement, cover zinc, bags of nails, M.M. iron rods, etc., to terrorist camps in the forests located in Zamfara, Sokoto and Kaduna States.

The offence is said to be contrary to Section 17 of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013 and punishable under the same section of the Act.

They were alleged to have paid for the gun truck partly in cash and partly via electronic transfer.(NAN)

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