The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed Thursday, September 17, for the re-arraignment of five men accused of involvement in the May 15 abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State and the subsequent killing of two victims.
The five accused persons, who the prosecution identified as members of Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan (ANSARU), are to be re-arraigned on a six-count amended charge filed by Rotimi Oyedepo, Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF), on behalf of the Federal Government.
The charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/438/2026, names the defendants as Mahmud Muhammad, also known as Abu Bara’a and Abbas Mukhtar; Abubakar Abbas, also known as Isah Adam and Mallam Mahmuda Al-Nigeri; Abdulrazak Umar, also known as Abu Khalifa and Abu Khalid; Yunusa Musa, also known as Abu Yunusa Bin Musa; and Shamsu Adamu Sani, also known as Abu Itisar.
The re-arraignment, initially scheduled for Wednesday, was stalled after the defendants objected to being represented by counsel from the Legal Aid Council and insisted on retaining their lawyer of choice.
At the aborted proceedings, Akilaluyel Shettima, a Deputy Director with the Legal Aid Council, announced his appearance for the five defendants.
However, the first defendant, Mahmud Muhammad, objected to the representation, telling Justice Salim Ibrahim that the defendants had previously been represented by Bala Dakum and wanted him to continue as their counsel.
The prosecution did not oppose the request.
Oyedepo told the court that the choice of counsel was a constitutional matter that should be respected, adding that the Department of State Services (DSS) was interested in ensuring justice and was not seeking to persecute the defendants.
Justice Ibrahim subsequently adjourned the matter to Thursday, September 17, for the re-arraignment.
The judge directed the defendants to contact their lawyer and ensure his presence in court on the next adjourned date.
He also directed the DSS to provide the defendants with access to their lawyer to enable them prepare their defence in accordance with the law.
