Four people accused of terrorism who are connected to infamous bandit leader Bello Turji have had their bail requests denied by Federal High Court Justice Emeka Nwite in Abuja.
Citing the seriousness of the charges against the individuals, the judge reportedly rejected the bail application on Friday.
According to Justice Nwite’s decision, the Minister of Justice and the Attorney General of the Federation had provided compelling evidence of the gravity of the alleged crimes committed by the four people.
The judge also pointed out that there was a serious chance that the suspects would commit more crimes, tamper with the evidence, and interfere with witnesses.
Musa Kamarawa, Abubakar Hashimu, also known as Doctor, Samuel Chinedu, and Lucky Chukwuma are among those who were refused bail; they are alleged to have aided Bello Turji’s bandit organization.
They have disputed the 11 terrorism-related allegations the federal government has brought against them. Justice Nwite ordered their remand in Kuje jail until the end of their trial on December 23, 2024.
Musa Kamarawa, Abubakar Hashimu, also known as Doctor, Bashir Abdullahi, Samuel Chinedu, Lucky Chukwuma, Bello Turji (today at large), Aminu Muhammad (today at large), and Sani Lawal (today at large) are charged in the first count with plotting to commit acts of terrorism in Sokoto State between 2018 and 2022.
By obtaining and supplying illegal substances, such as penta injections and cannabis (also known as Indian hemp), along with food supplies, police and military uniforms, and camouflage gear, they are accused of providing logistical support to terrorist groups headed by Turji, Kachalla Halilu, Danbokolo, Lawali, Atarwatse, Buderi, and others.
They are also suspected of providing terrorist camps located in the woods of the states of Zamfara, Sokoto, and Kaduna with boots, caps, and building supplies such bags of cement, roofing zinc, bags of nails, and M.M. iron rods.
According to the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act of 2013, this offense is penalized under Section 17 of the Act.
The fourth count alleges that in 2021 in Sokoto State, Kamarawa, Muhammad (who is currently at large), and Lawal (who is also at large) assisted terrorist activities by purchasing a military gun truck from Libya and giving it to a terrorist named Kachalla Halilu for about N28.5 million (28,500,000).
According to reports, they paid for the weapons truck using both cash and an electronic transfer.
According to the Federal Government, this offense is punishable under law 18(a) of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013 and is a violation of that law.
Read Also: El-Rufai: Tinubu Will Be Removed – SDP Chieftain Adebayo Claims
Eight defendants—four of whom are reportedly at large—are the targets of an 11-count complaint brought by the Federal Government through the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, marked as FHC/ABJ/CR/633/2024.
Mohammed Abubakar, the Director of the Federation’s Department of Public Prosecutions, filed this accusation on December 16.
