Court Remands Man Over Alleged Participation In Terrorism

Justice Ekerete Akpan of the Federal High Court in Ibadan on Tuesday remanded a 33-year-old man, Adamu Babangida, over his alleged involvement in acts of terrorism.

The Prosecution Counsel, Mrs Aderonke Imama, informed the court that the defendant was arraigned on a seven-count charge bordering on transporting, engaging in terrorism, unlawful possession of live ammunition, aiding and abetting terrorism, as well as obstruction of security operatives from carrying out their lawful duties.

Imama further added that Babangida was arrested in January 2023 while conveying 20.76 MN special live ammunition and other sophisticated weapons with the intention of equipping terrorists.

Imama stated that Babangida resides in Jalingo, Taraba.

She added that the defendant was apprehended by military operatives in the Ibadan II division while transporting the sophisticated weapons in a Toyota bus with reg. no. ARS76XA.

According to the prosecutor, the offence contravenes the provisions of sections 26(A), 4(B), 41 (A), and 43 (1A) of the Terrorism, Prohibition, and Prevention Act 2022.

However, the defendant, through his counsel, Mr Suraj Musa, he had pleaded not guilty to the offenceprotested to the court that he doesn’t understand why the prosecution refused to arraign the other three suspects caught alongside him.

Babangida alleged that four people were arrested, but he was the only one arraigned in court.

The prosecution argued that the defendant should focus on his own matter and not on other suspects.

In his rulling, the presiding judge, Justice Akpan, ordered Babangida to be remanded in the Agodi correctional centre after he pleaded not guilty to the charges

Akpan adjourned the matter until April 25 for a hearing on bail application.

(NAN)