AGF Fagbemi Files 57-Count Charge Against Suspected Terrorists Over Benue Massacre

The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday, amended chargesagainst nine suspected terrorists who allegedly attacked Yelwata in Benue whereabout 150 persons were killed. The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister ofJustice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, who led the Federal Government’s team oflawyers to court, told Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court thata 57-amended count had been filed against the defendants. Fagbemi informed the court that though 10 defendants wereearlier listed in the amended charge, he sought the order of court striking outthe name of the 6th defendant, Yakubu Mamman. The defence lawyers, including Ibrahim Angulu, SAN; A. I.Kaura and Adamu Abdullahi, did not oppose AGF’s application. Mamman’s name wasthen struck out from the charge. Fagbemi also applied that the initial charge dated Sept. 9,2025, but filed Sept. 10, 2025, where eight defendants were listed besubstituted for the amended charge dated Jan. 19, but filed Jan. 20 marked:FHC/ABJ/CR/471/2025 After the defence did not object to the application, thejudge struck out the earlier charge. The AGF then applied that the 57 counts be read to thedefendants to take their plea. Meanwhile, the suspected terrorists were alleged to havecarried out the attack on June 13, 2025, where many houses were burnt down andabout 150 people were massacred, while others sustained various degrees ofinjuries. The nine suspects include Ardo Lawal Mohammed, MuhammaduSaidu, Alhaji Haruna Abdullahi, Yakubu Adamu, Muhammed Musa, Abubakar Adamu,Shaibu Ibrahim, Saleh Mohammed, Bako Jibrin. The 57 counts are currently being read to the defendants.

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