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A Plateau State High Court sitting in Jos has ordered that four suspects facing trial over the Anguwan Rukuba killings in Jos North Local Government Area remain in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) pending the conclusion of investigations.
The suspects are charged with criminal conspiracy to commit terrorism and terrorism in connection with the March 28 attack, which reportedly claimed more than 30 lives.
At Thursday’s resumed hearing, the Plateau State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Philemon Audu Daffi, informed the court that the prosecution had filed a Case Management Conference (CMC) alongside the charges and requested a date for the proceedings.
He also sought the defendants’ continued remand in DSS custody, citing ongoing investigations and that a key suspect remains at large.
According to the prosecution, the defendants are being tried under Sections 269 and 270 of the Penal Code Law of Plateau State 2017, for allegedly conspiring, planning, organising, and funding the Anguwan Rukuba attack.
In a related case, another defendant, Adamu Alhassan, was arraigned on a six-count charge including criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, terrorism, unlawful possession of firearms, and illegal arms dealing.
The prosecution maintained that his detention aligns with provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Plateau State 2018, noting that further investigations are required as several suspects are still being sought.
Defence counsel, Mustapha Ibrahim (SAN), did not oppose the scheduling of the CMC but objected to the continued detention of his clients in DSS custody, arguing it could hinder access to legal representation.
In response, the Attorney General dismissed the concern, stating that in his experience, the DSS does not deny lawyers access to detainees.
Delivering his ruling, Justice Danladi Longden ordered that the defendants remain in DSS custody until the next hearing and directed the agency to grant defence counsel access to their clients.
The matter was adjourned to May 8, 2026, for a Case Management Conference.
The suspects were arrested between April 3 and April 10 following the attack, which sparked widespread outrage and renewed demands for justice in Plateau State.
President Bola Tinubu had earlier visited Jos, assuring residents that those responsible would be brought to justice and approving a ₦2 billion relief package for victims of the violence.
