FOUR suspects linked to the notorious terrorist kingpin, Bello Turji, on Monday, pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against them by the Federal Government bordering on alleged terrorism.
The duo, who were allegedly suspected to be bandits leaders; Musa Muhammad Kamarawa; Abubakar Hashimu, a.k.a. Doctor; Samuel Chinedu; and Lucky Chukwuma, denied their involvement in the act before Justice Emeka Nwite of a Federal High Court in Abuja when the 11 counts were read to them.
News Point Nigeria had earlier reported that though eight defendants were listed on the face of the charge, three of them, including Bello Turji, were at large.
However, shortly after the court registrar called the case, only four defendants were in court.
Justice Nwite then asked about the whereabouts of Bashir Abdullahi, who is the 3rd defendant.
David Kaswe, who appeared for the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), told the court that Abdullahi was also at large.
Kaswe, who acknowledged the mistake, apologised to the court.
The lawyer, therefore, sought the leave of the court to enter “at large” for Abdullahi, and the judge granted the oral application.
Thsi newspaper reports that the FG, through the office of the AGF, had filed the 11-count charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/633/2024 against the eight defendants, four of whom are at large.
In the charge dated and filed on Dec. 16 by M.B. Abubakar, Director, Department of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Musa Muhammad Kamarawa; Abubakar Hashimu, a.k.a. Doctor; Samuel Chinedu; and Lucky Chukwuma were sued as 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th defendants.
While Bashir Abdullahi, Bello Turji, Aminu Muhammad, and Sani Lawal, who are all at large, are sued as the 3rd, 6th, 7th, and 8th defendants, respectively.
