Four suspected terrorists linked to notorious bandit kingpin, Bello Turji, were Monday remanded in Kuje prison on the order of a Judge of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.
Justice Emeka Nwite gave the order in a short ruling after the defendants pleaded not guilty to the 11-count charge bordering on terrorism.
The four suspects are Musa Muhammad Kamarawa; Abubakar Hashimu, a.k.a. Doctor; Samuel Chinedu and Lucky Chukwuma.
However, they have since denied their involvement in the offences with which they were charged when the 11 counts were read to them.
Justice Nwite has consequently adjourned the matter until Feb. 10 for trial.
Earlier, eight defendants were listed on the face of the charge, three of them, including Bello Turji, were at large.
But when the court registrar called the case, only four defendants were in court.
Justice Nwite then asked about the whereabouts of Bashir Abdullahi, who is the 3rd defendant.
David Kaswe, who appeared for the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), told the court that Abdullahi was also at large.
Kaswe, who acknowledged the mistake offered his apologies to the court.
The lawyer, therefore, sought the leave of the court to enter “at large” for Abdullahi and the judge granted the oral application when there was not objection by the defence lawyers.
The FG, through the office of the AGF, had filed the 11-count charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/633/2024 against the eight defendants, four of who are at large.
In the charge dated and filed on Dec. 16 by M.B. Abubakar, Director, Department of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Musa Muhammad Kamarawa; Abubakar Hashimu, a.k.a. Doctor; Samuel Chinedu and Lucky Chukwuma were sued as 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th defendants.
While Bashir Abdullahi, Bello Turji, Aminu Muhammad and Sani Lawal, who are all at large, are sued as 3rd, 6th, 7th and 8th defendants respectively.
At the hearing, Kaswe informed the court that the matter was scheduled for arraignment of the defendants and that they were ready to proceed.
He said the defendants had been duly served with the charge.
The counsel said: ” We have 11-count charge. May I seek the leave of the court for the charge to be read to the defendants,” he prayed.
But A.M. Lukman, who appeared for the 1st, 2nd and 4th defendants (Kamarawa, Hashimu and Chinedu), told the court that a preliminary objection had been filed against the charge.
The lawyer urged the court to hear their objection.
“What is the objection all about?” Justice Nwite asked.