The Federal High Court, Abuja has given one suspected commander of Ansaru, an Al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist group, Abubakar Abba, being prosecuted for alleged terrorism by the Department of the State Service (DSS), up till July 20 to decide on whether or not to plead guilty to the terrorism -related charges against him.
Abubakar Abba (a.k.a. Abu Bara’a), is standing trial alongside Mahmud Usman (a.k.a. Isah Adam/Mahmud Al-Nigeri), on various terrorism- related charges before Justice Emeka Nwite.
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 conferring with his counsel, Husseina Tukur, Abba told the court that he was still undecided on whether to change his plea or retain the earlier one.
The prosecuting counsel, Mr. David Kaswe, opposed any further adjournment, arguing 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, said the judge, the defendant should be given the opportunity to make up his mind.
Justice Nwite subsequently adjourned the matter until July 20, 2026 for the defendant to decide on whether or not to change his plea or for continuation of hearing.
The defendants were arrested in separate operations between May and July 2025 by the DSS.
They were slammed with a 32-count terrorism charge, including terrorism and terrorism financing, kidnapping for ransom, illegal mining, funding terrorism, fabricating Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), among other charges.
They were accused of coordinating sleeper cells, attacks, and ties to 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 pleaded not guilty to the remaining 31 counts, while Abba pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
