The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, on Monday, ordered the remand of four suspected terrorists linked to notorious bandit kingpin Bello Turji in Kuje Prison custody.

Justice Emeka Nwite, in a short ruling, made the order after the defendants pleaded not guilty to the 11-count charge bordering on terrorism.

Justice Nwite consequently adjourned the matter until February 10 for trial.

The suspects, Musa Muhammad Kamarawa, Abubakar Hashimu, aka Doctor, Samuel Chinedu and Lucky Chukwuma, pled not guilty to the charges against them.

Although eight defendants were listed on the face of the charge, three, including Mr Turji, were at large. However, shortly after the court registrar called the case, only four defendants were in court.

Sometime between 2018 and 2022 in Sokoto, the suspects allegedly conspired to commit a terrorist act. 

They were alleged to have provided material services to terrorist groups led by Mr Turji and other suspects by procuring and supplying illicit drugs, including penta injections and cannabis plants, food items, military and police uniforms, and camouflage.

They were also alleged to have supplied boots, caps and building materials, including 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.

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.

In count four, Messrs Kamarawa, Muhammad (at large) and Lawal (at large), sometime in 2021 in Sokoto, allegedly aided and abetted the commission of acts of terrorism by acquiring a military gun truck from Libya and supplying same to a terrorist, Kachalla Halilu, at a cost of approximately N28.5 million.

(NAN)