Nine suspects accused of involvement in the deadly Yelwata attack in Benue State have pleaded not guilty to a 57-count amended charge bordering on terrorism before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.
The suspects were arraigned on Monday before Justice Joyce Abdul-Malik after the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), withdrew charges against the sixth defendant, Yakubu Mamman.
According to the prosecution, the suspects are strongly linked to the killings in Yelwata, following what the Office of the AGF described as a painstaking investigation and collaboration among relevant government agencies.
The AGF appeared in court alongside the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), to lead the prosecution team.
Legal representation for the defendants was split among several counsel. Ibrahim Angulu (SAN), Christiana Sylvester and Aminu Abubakar Bagudu appeared for the 1st, 8th and 9th defendants respectively, while A.I. Kaura represented the 2nd defendant. Adamu Abdullahi held brief for the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 7th and 10th defendants.
Fagbemi informed the court that the prosecution had filed a 57-count amended charge dated January 19, 2026, and filed on January 20, 2026, against 10 defendants. He also applied to withdraw the earlier eight-count charge filed in September 2025, as well as the charge against the sixth defendant.
The defence raised no objection, prompting Justice Abdul-Malik to strike out the name of the sixth defendant and formally withdraw the earlier charge.
The remaining defendants are Ardo Lawal Mohammed, Muhammadu Saidu, Alhaji Haruna Abdullahi, Yakubu Adamu, Muhammed Musa, Abubakar Adamu, Shaibu Ibrahim, Saleh Mohammed and Bako Jibrin.
Following an application by the prosecution, the amended charge was read to the defendants with the assistance of an interpreter, after which all nine pleaded not guilty to the 57 counts.
One of the charges alleged that the defendants knowingly participated in meetings held between May and June 2025 in Nasarawa State to plan the attack on Yelwata community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State. The attack, which was carried out on June 13, 2025, reportedly led to the burning of houses, severe injuries and the death of about 150 people.
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After the pleas were taken, Fagbemi told the court that the defendants had invoked the court’s jurisdiction for trial and requested an accelerated hearing. He also applied for their remand in a correctional facility pending trial.
An oral application for bail was made by defence counsel, but the judge directed that a formal bail application be filed in response to the prosecution’s amended motion. The defence subsequently asked for a short date to move the bail application.
The prosecution disclosed its intention to call eight witnesses during the trial.
Justice Abdul-Malik adjourned the case to February 26 and 27, 2026, for the commencement of trial and ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending trial.
