By Palang Paul
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday 2nd February 2026 amended the charges against nine individuals suspected of carrying out the deadly terrorist attack in Yelwata, Benue State,Nigeria Middle Belt which resulted in approximately 150 deaths.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), led the prosecution team and informed the court, presided over by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, that a 57-count amended charge had been filed.
While the amended charge initially listed ten defendants, Fagbemi applied for the name of the sixth defendant, Yakubu Mamman, to be struck out. The defense counsel raised no objections, and the court granted the application.
The prosecution also successfully applied to substitute an earlier charge dated September 2025 with the new amended charge. The defendants then took their pleas as the 57 counts were read to them.
The suspects are alleged to have executed the attack on June 13, 2025, burning homes and killing scores of people, with many others sustaining injuries.
The nine defendants now facing the amended charges are:
- Ardo Lawal Mohammed
- Muhammadu Saidu
- Alhaji Haruna Abdullahi
- Yakubu Adamu
- Muhammed Musa
- Abubakar Adamu
- Shaibu Ibrahim
- Saleh Mohammed
- Bako Jibrin
The case has been adjourned for further proceedings.
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