COURT REMANDS SIX IN DSS CUSTODY OVER ALLEGED TERRORISM, ORDERS ACCELERATED TRIAL
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By ‘Ganiyat Sunmola
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday ordered the remand of six defendants in the custody of the Department of State Services after they were arraigned on a 13-count charge bordering on alleged terrorism.
At the session, which began at about 1:46pm, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), informed the court that the charge was ready and sought permission to have it read to the defendants.
Proceedings were briefly delayed after the third defendant told the court that his counsel was indisposed, while counsel to the sixth defendant stated that his client understood only Arabic and Hausa, prompting the court to stand down the matter to allow for an interpreter.
When the court reconvened at about 2:18pm, all six defendants entered their pleas, denying the allegations and pleading not guilty to the 13 counts.
Following their arraignment, the prosecution applied for their remand in DSS custody and urged the court to grant an accelerated hearing of the case. The request was not opposed by most defence counsel, although the first defendant’s lawyer indicated plans to file a bail application.
In his ruling, the trial judge granted an accelerated hearing, ordered that the defendants be remanded in DSS custody with access to their lawyers, and adjourned the case until April 27, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
More details later…
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