Court Adjourns Alleged Taraba Kidnap Kingpin’s Trial to February 17

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has adjourned the trial of Abubakar Abdulkadir, a.k.a. Julde, an alleged terrorism suspect, to February 17.

The adjournment was for the response of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), in the ongoing trial.

Abdulkadir and six others are being prosecuted by the Inspector General of Police on a 19-count charge of terrorism and kidnapping.

In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/417/2023, Abdulkadir, Adamu Musa a.k.a. Dan Anacha, Muhammed Haladu, Sale Gagare, Musa Muhammadu, Babawuro Mukawo, Saidu Abubakar, and others said to be at large—are accused of committing various acts of terrorism and kidnapping.

The prosecution alleges that between February and November 2022, in Sabon Gida village of Gassol Local Government Area (LGA) of Taraba State, the defendants “conspired to commit acts of terrorism by attacking and kidnapping Alhaji Maidabo Zide and several other innocent residents of Taraba State”.

The charge stated that this constitutes an offence contrary to Section 26(1)(a) and punishable under Section 24(2)(b) of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022.

The defendants are also accused of killing residents, demanding and collecting ransom from their victims, and stealing livestock, motorcycles, and vehicles belonging to the victims, among other offences.

Count 19 of the charge read: “That sometime in December 2022, at Bali LGA of Taraba State, while armed with guns, machetes, knives, and other dangerous weapons, you committed acts of terrorism by invading Jatau village in Bali LGA of Taraba State, attacking and killing Muhammadu Umar (M) and Bagudu Umar (M) by shooting sporadically and stealing 26 cows and food items belonging to Muhammadu Abubakar. You thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 2(2)(a) and punishable under Section 24(2)(b) of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022.”

At Thursday’s sitting, counsel to the Inspector-General of Police, Audu Garba, informed Justice Emeka Nwite that the case was scheduled for the cross-examination of the second prosecution witness.

However, he added that the case file had been handed over to the Attorney General of the Federation, who is now the prosecutor.

Garba said, “My Lord, the matter is for the cross-examination of PW-2. The AGF has requested the case file, and it has been transferred to the AGF’s office.”

Justice Nwite acknowledged receiving a letter from the AGF’s office requesting a short adjournment until January 29. However, due to the court’s schedule, the matter was adjourned to February 17.

Counsel to the other defendants did not oppose the adjournment. However, Manjok Agom, the lawyer for the 1st, 2nd, and 4th defendants, informed the court that an application for the withdrawal of the case was already before the court.

Agom said, “My Lord, I believe the application is for the case to be struck out. The AGF should be in court today, not the IG prosecuting the case. We are applying for the matter to be struck out.”

Justice Nwite clarified that the case could not be struck out since it had been handed over to a new prosecutor who was not present in court.

The judge stated, “Why are we striking out? The AGF wrote a letter requesting an adjournment.”

The court subsequently adjourned the case to February 17, as it could not accommodate the January 29 date requested by the AGF.

Justice Nwite said, “The matter is adjourned to February 17 for a report from the Honourable Attorney General.”