BREAKING: Court orders remand of six defendants over alleged terrorism charges

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday ordered the remand of six defendants in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) after they were arraigned on a 13-count charge bordering on alleged terrorism.

The proceedings, which began at about 1:46pm, saw the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), informing the court that the charge was ready and requesting that it be read to the defendants.

However, the hearing was briefly delayed after the third defendant informed the court that his counsel was indisposed. The situation was further complicated when counsel to the sixth defendant told the court that his client understood only Arabic and Hausa, prompting the court to stand down proceedings to secure an interpreter.

When the court reconvened at about 2:18pm, all six defendants took their pleas and denied the allegations, pleading not guilty to all 13 counts.

Following the arraignment, the prosecution applied for the defendants to be remanded in DSS custody and also urged the court to grant an accelerated hearing of the case. The request was not opposed by most defence lawyers, although counsel to the first defendant indicated plans to file a bail application.

Ruling on the matter, the trial judge ordered an accelerated hearing, directed that the defendants be remanded in DSS custody with access to their legal representatives, and adjourned the case to April 27, 2026, for commencement of trial.