The Plateau State High Court sitting in Jos has ruled that state high courts have jurisdiction to try persons charged with terrorism-related offences under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act (TPPA) 2022. Justice Gedeliah Fwomyon gave the ruling on Tuesday while determining a jurisdictional objection raised by four suspects arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) over their alleged involvement in killings in Angwan Rukuba, Jos North Local Government Area. The suspects are being prosecuted in connection with the Palm Sunday attack in the community, where about 30 people were killed. The Plateau State Government charged Adamu Alhassan Isa, Isa Umar Ibrahim, Auwalu Abubakar, also known as Auwalu Dogo, Musa Abubakar Ibrahim, popularly called Yaroro, and Ado Ibrahim, who is said to be at large. During the trial, counsel to the defendants challenged the jurisdiction of the state high court, arguing that terrorism cases could only be tried by federal courts under the TPPA. Ruling on the objection, Justice Fwomyon held that the Act did not prohibit state high courts from trying terrorism-related offences. He said there was nothing in the Constitution preventing state Houses of Assembly from legislating on terrorism, noting that the matter was not on the Exclusive Legislative List. The judge held that both the National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly could validly legislate on terrorism. He added that although the TPPA was federal legislation, nothing in the law expressly barred a state high court from hearing cases brought under its provisions. Justice Fwomyon, however, rejected an application by the third defendant, Auwalu Abubakar, seeking to be transferred from DSS custody to the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) for medical treatment. The court adjourned the case until October 15 and 21, 2026, for further proceedings.
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