A Plateau State High Court sitting in Jos has scheduled July 1 and 2, 2026, for the commencement of a definite hearing in the terrorism case linked to the Angwan Rukuba killings. The case involves four defendants facing charges related to terrorism and alleged terrorist activities.
The matter was heard on Thursday before Justice Gidelia Fomyon of Court 9 during a Case Management Conference (CMC), conducted in line with the provisions of Order 4 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) 2024 and the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.
Representing the prosecution was the Attorney General of Plateau State, Philemon Daffi, who led the legal team on behalf of the state government. Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mustapha Shaba Ibrahim, represented the first and second defendants, while M.M. Salihu appeared for the third defendant and M.B. Abdullahi represented the fourth defendant.
The defendants named in the suit are Isa Umar Ibrahim, Adamu Isa Alhassan, Auwalu Abubakar, and Musa Abubakar Ibrahim.
During proceedings, the prosecution informed the court that the case was scheduled for a management conference and confirmed the state’s readiness to proceed. Daffi adopted the prosecution’s case management form, which was filed on May 17, 2026, and requested that the court issue its report.
Counsel for the defendants also confirmed their readiness and adopted their separate responses already submitted before the court. Lawyers representing the first and second defendants stated that their response was filed on May 6, while the third defendant submitted his on May 7. The fourth defendant’s response was also filed on May 6, 2026.
All defence counsel subsequently urged the court to issue its report in line with the relevant legal provisions.
Justice Fomyon observed that although case management reports are typically expected within 60 days, the nature of the case and the strong public attention surrounding it required parties to agree on suitable hearing dates.
The court also noted that some of the defendants had filed applications challenging its jurisdiction.
While defence lawyers argued that the notices of preliminary objection should be considered and ruled on after the trial, the prosecution disagreed, insisting that jurisdictional matters must first be resolved to prevent what it described as a “journey in futility.”
Daffi further urged the court to recognise the high level of public interest in the matter and ensure a speedy trial by addressing the preliminary objections before the main hearing begins.
Delivering his ruling, Justice Fomyon stated that the case management process had been completed in accordance with the law and adjourned the matter until May 26, 2026, for the court’s report on case management.
The court also fixed July 1 and 2, 2026, for the commencement of hearing and witness appearances in the terrorism trial.
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