By Taiye Agbaje
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday gave one of the suspected commander of Ansaru terrorist group, Abubakar Abba, up till July 20 to decide on whether or not to plead guilty to the terrorism-related charges against him.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Abba, a.k.a. Abu Bara’a, is standing trial alongside Mahmud Usman, a.k.a. Isah Adam/Mahmud Al-Nigeri, before Justice Emeka Nwite.
The defendants are being prosecuted by the Department of State Services (DSS) on 32-count charge.
The matter, which was fixed for continuation of hearing on Thursday, took a dramatic turn when Abba informed the court of his intention to withdraw his earlier not guilty plea.
However, after the court gave him the permission to confer with Husseina Tukur, his lawyer, Abba told the court that he was still undecided on whether to change his plea or retain the earlier one.
The prosecuting counsel, David Kaswe, however, opposed any further adjournment of the case.
He argued that the defendant had made a similar request at the last sitting.
He urged the court to proceed with the trial should the defendant fail to make up his mind.
In a short ruling, Justice Nwite held that it was the first time the defendant’s intention to change his plea was formally brought before the court.
“As the issue was for the first time being officially raised on record, the defendant should be given the opportunity to make up his mind,” the judge said.
Justice Nwite subsequently adjourned the matter until July 20 for the defendant to decide on whether or not to change his plea or for continuation of hearing.
NAN recalls that the defendants were arrested in separate operations between May and July 2025 by the DSS.
The duo are facing charges, including terrorism and terrorism financing, kidnapping for ransom, illegal mining, funding terrorism, fabricating Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), among others.
They are accused of coordinating sleeper cells, attacks and ties to Al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist group, including groups in the Sahel/Maghreb.
On arraignment, Usman had pleaded guilty to one-count of illegal mining for funding terrorism/arms and was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment.
He, however, pleaded not guilty to the remaining 31 counts while Abba pleaded not guilty to all charges. NAN
