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From Godwin Tsa, Abuja
One of the suspected terrorists linked to the June 13 massacre in Yelwata 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 over the gruesome killings of over 200 persons in an unprovoked attack that also 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 a 57-count amended charge bordering on terrorism offences.
However, when the trial resumed yesterday, Alhaji Haruna Abdullahi, who is listed as the third defendant in the charge, suddenly collapsed in the courtroom.
The prosecution counsel and Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, informed the court of 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 they are being prosecuted over their alleged involvement in the killings in Yelwata Community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.
The DPPF 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 third defendant (Abdullahi), Ahmed Mohammed, confirmed that the health condition of his client worsened upon arrival in court, leading to his collapse in the courtroom.
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He accordingly prayed the court to grant a short adjournment to enable his client to receive medical treatment at any hospital in Abuja.
Counsel to the first defendant, Ibrahim Angulu, SAN, did not object to the request for adjournment on what he described as humanitarian grounds.
The prosecution counsel also did not object to the request for an adjournment.
In her ruling, Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter until March 30 and 31, 2026, for continuation of the trial and ordered that hearing notices 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 State and subsequently carried it out on 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 (first 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 an 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.
