The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed January 15, 2026, as the new date for the commencement of the trial of two senior members of the Ansaru terrorist group, Mahmud Usman and Abubakar Abba, who were arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS).
The case, originally scheduled to open on Wednesday, was postponed by Justice Emeka Nwite after defence counsel, B.I. Bakum, requested additional time to receive and study the charges and proof of evidence, which he said remained in the custody of the DSS.
Bakum also asked the court to transfer the defendants from DSS detention to a Nigerian Correctional Service facility, arguing that this would facilitate easier access to his clients and ensure a smoother trial process.
Prosecuting counsel, David Kaswe, an Assistant Director in the Federal Ministry of Justice, opposed the transfer request and urged the court to proceed with the trial, noting that prosecution witnesses were already present.
He explained that DSS protocol requires defence lawyers to formally request permission in writing to visit detainees and to copy the prosecution on such requests, a step he claimed had not been taken.
In a short ruling, Justice Nwite granted the defence’s application for adjournment in the interest of fair hearing.
He directed the defence lawyer to henceforth follow DSS protocol by writing formal requests for client visits and copying the prosecutor.
The judge adjourned the matter to January 15, 2026.Background of the CaseMahmud Usman and Abubakar Abba face a 32-count charge bordering on terrorism, terrorism financing, kidnapping, illegal mining, and related offences allegedly committed between 2015 and 2024.
Usman has already pleaded guilty to Count 10, which relates to economic crimes through illegal mining.
On September 11, 2025, he was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment after admitting that he used proceeds from unlawful mining to purchase firearms that supported terrorism and kidnapping operations.
He pleaded not guilty to the remaining 31 counts.Abubakar Abba pleaded not guilty to all 32 counts.
The DSS alleges, among other things, that the duo:
. Carried out the bombing of Wawa Military Cantonment in Niger State
. Received weapons-handling and IED-fabrication training in Mali and Sudan
. Belonged to foreign terrorist organisations
. Kidnapped a Nigeria Customs officer and a Nigeria Immigration Service officer (the latter was killed in captivity)
. Collected multimillion-naira ransoms
. Engaged in large-scale illegal mining without licences, using the proceeds to procure arms and explosives
. Trained their followers in terrorist tactics
The case is being prosecuted on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Mohammed Babadoko Abubakar.Trial will now resume on January 15, 2026.
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