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From Godwin Tsa, Abuja
The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned one Samaila Ibrahim Kaigama before the Federal High Court in Abuja on a four-count charge bordering on allegations that he solicited and raised funds in support of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (Boko Haram).
Kaigama pleaded not guilty when the charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/439/2026, was read to him on Wednesday.
The defendant is accused of concealing information relating to acts of terrorism allegedly committed by the two proscribed terrorist groups. He is also alleged to have directly and knowingly solicited, acquired, collected, received and possessed funds from unsuspecting members of the public, with the intention and knowledge that the money would be used to finance the activities of ISWAP and Boko Haram.
The prosecution further alleged that Kaigama knowingly rendered support to the terrorist organisations by providing them with material assistance and financial services. He is equally accused of knowingly dealing in terrorist funds by possessing such funds, facilitating financial transactions and providing financial services in respect of the funds at the direction of the terrorist groups.
Following his plea, prosecuting counsel, Dr Caliatus Eze, urged the court to remand the defendant in the protective custody of the DSS, citing the interest of national security as well as the safety of the defendant.
In a ruling, Justice Salim Ibrahim overruled the objection of the defence and ordered that Kaigama be remanded in the custody of the DSS.
The judge, however, directed that the defendant be granted unrestricted access to his lawyer and two members of his family—his wife and his uncle—and that he be provided with adequate medical attention while in custody.
The matter was subsequently adjourned until September 24 for the commencement of trial.
According to the charge sheet, Kaigama allegedly committed the offences between January and June 2026 in Abuja and Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State. He was accused of knowingly concealing information about acts of terrorism by ISWAP and Boko Haram, despite being aware that such information could have aided law enforcement agencies in apprehending suspects or preventing terrorist acts. The alleged offence is contrary to, and punishable under, Section 16(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The prosecution also alleged that, within the same period and locations, Kaigama, under the guise of negotiating the release of kidnap victims, solicited, acquired, collected, received and possessed funds from members of the public, knowing that the funds would be used to finance the activities of the two terrorist organisations. The offence is said to be contrary to Section 21 and punishable under Section 21(2) of the Act.
He is further accused of knowingly rendering support to the two groups by providing them with material assistance and financial services, contrary to and punishable under Section 13(1) of the Act.
In the fourth count, Kaigama is alleged to have knowingly dealt in terrorist funds by possessing such funds, facilitating financial transactions and providing financial services in respect of terrorist funds at the direction of ISWAP and Boko Haram, contrary to and punishable under Section 23(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
