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The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday ordered the remand of six defendants in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) after they were arraigned on a 13-count charge bordering on alleged terrorism.
The Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), informed the court that the charge was ready and sought leave to have it read to the defendants when the sitting commenced at about 1:46 p.m.
Proceedings were briefly stalled after the third defendant informed the court that his counsel was indisposed.
The counsel to the sixth defendant said his client understood only Arabic and Hausa, prompting the court to stand down the matter to secure an interpreter.
When the court reconvened at about 2:18 p.m., all six defendants took their pleas and denied the allegations, pleading not guilty to the 13 counts.
Following the arraignment, the prosecution applied for their remand in DSS custody and urged the court to grant an accelerated hearing.
The request was not opposed by most defence counsel, though the first defendant’s lawyer indicated an intention to file a bail application.
The trial judge ordered an accelerated hearing, directed that the defendants be remanded in DSS custody with access to their lawyers, and adjourned the matter until April 27, 2026, for commencement of trial.
More details later…
