Nine suspects accused of involvement in the deadly Yelwata attack in Benue State on Monday pleaded not guilty to a 57-count amended charge bordering on terrorism before the Federal High Court in Abuja. The suspects were arraigned before Justice Joyce Abdul-Malik following the withdrawal of charges against the sixth defendant, Yakubu Mamman, by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN). Ibrahim Angulu (SAN), Christiana Sylvester and Aminu Abubakar Bagudu represented the 1st, 8th and 9th defendants, respectively, while A.I. He also asked that the defendants be remanded in a correctional facility pending trial and that a trial date be fixed. The prosecution informed the court that it intended to call eight witnesses during the trial.

Source: Punch February 02, 2026 14:17 UTC