FG Arraigns Yelwata Killings Suspects On 57 Counts As Court Orders Remand In Kuje Prison

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the remand of nine suspects arraigned by the Federal Government over their alleged involvement in the massacre of about 150 persons in Yelwata community, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.
The order was made on Monday by the trial judge, Justice Joyce Abdul-Malik, during proceedings in the criminal case marked FHC/ABJ/CR/471/2025.
The defendants were arraigned on a 57-count amended charge bordering on terrorism, conspiracy, and related offences under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. They all pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The prosecution was personally led by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, alongside the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, and other counsel. The defendants were represented by Ibrahim Angulu, SAN, A.I. Kaura, and Adamu Abdullahi.
At the hearing, the AGF informed the court that the Federal Government had filed an amended charge against ten defendants, but applied for the name of the sixth defendant, Yakubu Mamman, to be struck out. He also requested the withdrawal of the earlier charge filed on September 9, leaving only the amended charge dated January 20 for the court’s consideration. The court granted the applications.
Following the defendants’ not-guilty plea, the AGF asked for an early trial date, requested accelerated hearing, and applied for the defendants to be remanded pending trial. He disclosed that the prosecution had lined up eight witnesses to testify.
Justice Abdul-Malik overruled the defendants’ oral bail application and ordered that they be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja. The case was adjourned to February 26 and 27, 2026, for the commencement of full trial.
Those standing trial include Ardo Lawal Mohammed Dono, Ardo Muhammadu Saidu, Alhaji Haruna Abdullahi, Yakubu Adamu, Alhaji Mohammed Musa, Abubakar Adamu, Shaibu Ibrahim, Sale Mohammed, and Bako Jibrin, while others are said to be at large.
According to the amended charge, the defendants allegedly met in Nasarawa State between May and June 2025 to plan and coordinate the attack on Yelwata, which was carried out on June 13, 2025, resulting in the burning of houses, grievous bodily harm, and the killing of about 150 persons.
One of the counts alleges that the defendants knowingly participated in meetings to plan an act of terrorism, an offence contrary to Section 12(a) of the Terrorism Act. Another count accuses them of conspiracy to commit terrorism, contrary to Section 26(1) of the Act.
Count 57 specifically alleges that Bako Jibrin engaged in preparations to commit terrorism by coordinating and planning the attack during meetings held at Ardo Lawal’s palace, contrary to Section 29 of the Act.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Federal Government said the arraignment followed painstaking investigations and inter-agency collaboration.
The AGF, in an earlier statement, assured Nigerians that justice would be served, stressing that the prosecution was intended to send a strong signal to those threatening national security.
“The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to the protection of lives and property of all Nigerians, as enshrined in the Constitution,” the statement said.