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From Godwin Tsa, Abuja
One of the suspected terrorists of the June 13 massacre in Yelewata community of Benue State, Alhaji Haruna Abdullahi dramatically collapsed in the courtroom of the Federal High Court, Abuja, forcing an adjournment of proceedings.
Abdullahi, is one of the nine suspected terrorists charged by the Federal government for the gruesome killings of over 200 persons in unprovoked attack that equally destroyed properties worth millions of naira on June 13, 2025.
The defendants were arraigned by the Federal government before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Abuja division of the Federal High Court, on 57-count amended charge bordering on terrorism offences.
However, when trial resumed yesterday, Alhaji Haruna Abdullahi, who is listed as the 3rd defendant in the charge suddenly collapsed in the court room.
The prosecution counsel and the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, informed the court about the development.
Oyedepo said he was informed by officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service that, the third defendant who was brought to court developed serious health issues while in court.
He told Justice Abdulmalik that the federal government is not persecuting the defendants but that, the defendants are being prosecuted over their alleged involvement in the killings in Yelwata Community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue state.
The DPPF submitted submitted that it is the wish of the Federal government for the defendants to be alive and healthy to stand trial.
In his submission, counsel to the 3rd defendant (Abdullahi), Ahmed Mohammed, confirmed that the health condition of his client got worse upon arrival in court leading to his collapsed in the courtroom.
He accordingly prayed the court to grant a short adjournment to enable his client received medical treatment at any hospital in Abuja.
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Counsel to the first defendant, Ibrahim Angulu, SAN did not object to the request for adjournment on what he described as humanitarian ground.
On his part, the prosecution counsel did not also object to the request for an adjournment.
In her ruling, Justice Abdulmalik
adjourned the matter till March 30 and 31, 2026 for continuation of trial and ordered that hearing notices should be served on the defendants.
The nine suspects, who were arraigned, include Ardo Lawal Mohammed Dono, Ardo Muhammadu Saidu, Alhaji Haruna Abdullahi, Yakubu Adamu, Alhaji Musa Mohammed, Abubakar Adamu, Shaibu Ibrahim, Sale Mohammed and Bako Jibrin.
In count one of the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/471/2025, the defendants and others still at large were alleged to have, sometime between May and June 2025 in Nasarawa State, knowingly and directly participated in meetings in connection with the commission of an act of terrorism.
They were said to have planned the attack on Yelwata Community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue, and subsequently carried it out June 13, 2025, resulting in the burning of houses, grievous bodily harm, and the death of approximately 150 persons.
The offence is said to be contrary to Section 12(a) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and punishable under the same section.
In count 25, Ardo Lawal Mohammed Dono (1st defendant) was alleged to have, between May and June 2025 in Nasarawa State, “instigated and instructed other Ardos and all Fulani youths in Nasarawa State, Kwara State, Taraba State, Giza, and other surrounding villages to carry out attack on Yelwata Community” on June 13, 2025, where at least 150 persons died.
The offence is contrary to Section 26(2)(b) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and punishable under the same Act, among other counts.
