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Terrorism Trial Resurfaces: Federal High Court Re-Lists Case Tied To Bello Turji.

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6 months ago

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According to Nivo News, the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has approved an application by the Federal Government to reopen a terrorism case involving five suspects linked to the notorious terror kingpin, Bello Turji.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Justice Emeka Nwite granted the request on Thursday after considering a motion filed by the Attorney-General of the Federation seeking an order to relist the charge, referenced FHC/ABJ/CR/633/2024, on the court’s cause list. The case had earlier been struck out on July 8, 2025, following an oral application by defence lawyers who argued that the prosecution failed to diligently pursue the matter.

The Federal Government had initially filed an 11-count terrorism charge against eight defendants, including Bello Turji, who is still at large. The charge, instituted on December 16, 2024, by the Director of Public Prosecutions, M.B. Abubakar, listed Musa Muhammed Kamarawa, Abubakar Hashimu, also known as Doctor, Bashir Abdullahi, Samuel Chinedu and Lucky Chukwuma as the first five defendants. Turji, alongside Aminu Muhammad and Sani Lawal, who are also at large, were named as the remaining defendants.

The accused persons were alleged to have rendered material support to terrorist groups by supplying illicit drugs, food supplies, military and police uniforms, camouflage kits and building materials to terror camps located in Zamfara, Sokoto and Kaduna states.

In one of the counts, Kamarawa, Muhammad and Lawal were accused of facilitating terrorist activities in Sokoto State in 2021 by procuring a military gun truck from Libya and handing it over to a terror leader, Kachalla Halilu, at a cost of about N28.5 million. The prosecution alleged that payment for the vehicle was made partly in cash and partly through electronic transfer, and that the truck was subsequently used to carry out terrorist operations, an offence under the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act, 2013.

Another count alleged that Kamarawa, Hashimu and Abdullahi provided medical treatment, shelter and care to Bello Turji after he sustained injuries during a terrorist attack on Tungar Kolo village in Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State in 2018, an act said to contravene provisions of the same law.

Four of the suspects—Kamarawa, Hashimu, Chinedu and Chukwuma—were arraigned on December 23, 2024, where they pleaded not guilty and were remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre. The matter was adjourned to February 10, 2025, for the hearing of pending applications, including bail requests. On March 14, the court denied bail and ordered witness protection before the prosecution commenced trial.

The first prosecution witness testified in Hausa, narrating how Kamarawa allegedly assisted in the procurement of the gun truck for terrorist activities. However, subsequent trial dates scheduled for May 2025 were stalled due to the absence of the lead prosecuting counsel. July 8 was later fixed for continuation, but the prosecution again failed to appear, leading to the case being struck out.

At the resumed hearing on Thursday, counsel to the Attorney-General of the Federation, David Kaswe, told the court that the relisting application, filed on November 28, was based on constitutional provisions and the court’s inherent powers. He said the prosecution was fully prepared with witnesses and exhibits and urged the court to allow the case to be determined on its merits, stressing that the matter involved terrorism with international implications.

Kaswe insisted that the earlier absence of the prosecution was not deliberate and maintained that justice, public safety and national security required the case to be reopened.

Counsel to the first and second defendants, A.M. Lukman, did not oppose the application but raised concerns over the length of time the defendants had spent in custody, urging the court to award costs against the prosecution.

In his ruling, Justice Nwite held that the application by the Federal Government had merit and granted the request to relist the charge, declining to award costs against either party. The case was subsequently adjourned to January 21, 2026, for continuation of trial proceedings.

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Atiku To Tinubu: Seven Days To Clean Up The “Nest Of Fraudsters” Inside The Presidency.

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9 hours ago

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July 3, 2026

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Former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has issued a seven-day ultimatum to President Bola Tinubu, demanding an independent investigation into the scandal surrounding the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC). Speaking through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku argued that a transparent probe is necessary to clear suspicions of high-level government involvement in the alleged fraud.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Atiku’s critique centers on the perceived lack of institutional credibility regarding the government’s current explanation of the scandal:

  • Implausible Narrative: Atiku criticized the Presidency’s account—provided by Bayo Onanuga—as illogical, questioning how one individual (Adeniyi Adeyemi) could unilaterally secure government office space, conduct high-level meetings with foreign delegations, and process official staff salaries without internal collaboration or negligence.

  • Systemic Failure: He emphasized that while Adeyemi should face legal consequences if guilty, the government must address how such an operation bypassed standard institutional oversight.

  • Budgetary and Civil Service Inconsistencies: Atiku highlighted that the PFIPC reportedly appeared in the 2026 Appropriation Act with a multi-billion naira budget, and that the Office of the Head of the Civil Service allegedly approved the recruitment of over 300 staff members, both of which are structured processes that cannot occur by accident.

The Demand for Accountability

Atiku argued that the Presidency cannot deflect blame onto a single individual while ignoring the structural systems that facilitated the alleged fraud. Given that Adeyemi has denied the allegations and claimed that influential figures are attempting to silence him, Atiku contends that an independent inquiry is urgently required. He concluded by warning that failure to launch a comprehensive investigation would lead to public perception of “complicity by silence” on the part of the President.

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Door Slammed Shut: Real Madrid Issues Categorical Denial Over Enzo Fernández Transfer.

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9 hours ago

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July 3, 2026

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Real Madrid has officially and categorically dismissed recent media speculation suggesting they are pursuing Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernández.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The Official Stance

In an official statement released on Friday, the Spanish club clarified its position:

  • Real Madrid confirmed they have made no direct or indirect efforts to sign the 25-year-old Argentina international.

  • The club explicitly stated they have no intention of initiating a transfer for the player.

  • Maintaining their commitment to “institutional loyalty,” Madrid emphasized that their relationship with Chelsea remains excellent.

  • The club expressed regret that unfounded rumors continue to circulate, noting that such misinformation causes unnecessary confusion for fans and damages the involved parties.

Context and Background

The denial follows intense speculation that arose after Jose Mourinho returned as manager for Real Madrid:

  • Reports had claimed that Fernández was Mourinho’s primary midfield target and that the player considered Madrid his preferred destination.

  • Chelsea reportedly values the midfielder, who is under contract until 2032, at approximately £120 million.

  • Fernández previously faced consequences at Chelsea, including being dropped for two matches earlier this year, after publicly expressing his admiration for Real Madrid and his desire to live in the Spanish capital.

Fernández is currently participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup with Argentina, where he is preparing for a Round of 32 match against Cape Verde. During the previous season, he recorded 15 goals and seven assists across 54 appearances for Chelsea.

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Judicial Hammer Falls: Rep Member Forced To Surrender ₦150 Million To Federal Government.

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9 hours ago

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July 3, 2026

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On Thursday, June 2, 2026, Justice J.O. Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the final forfeiture of ₦150 million to the Federal Government. The funds, linked to Nicholas Mutu, a serving member of the House of Representatives, were seized following an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The ruling was secured under Section 44(2) of the 1999 Constitution and Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud Related Offences Act. The court had previously issued an interim forfeiture order and mandated public notice in a national newspaper. As no party provided sufficient evidence to challenge the forfeiture during the interim period, Justice Abdulmalik granted the final order, rejecting arguments presented by counsel for Mutu and his company, Airworld Technologies Ltd.

The EFCC’s Findings

The EFCC’s investigation detailed how the funds were obtained:

  • Kickback Scheme: While serving as Chairman of the House Committee on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mutu allegedly received over ₦400 million in kickbacks from an NDDC consultant, Starline Consultancy Services.

  • Laundering: The money was reportedly funneled through Heritage Bank accounts belonging to two of Mutu’s companies, Airworld Technologies Ltd and Oyien Homes Ltd, which are owned and operated by the lawmaker and his immediate family.

  • The “Consultancy” Ruse: Investigators revealed that after the Committee helped the NDDC recover over ₦100 billion from oil firms, Mutu pressured the consultant to issue a fake subcontract to his company to justify the kickbacks. The consultant later admitted that no actual work was performed by Mutu’s firm.

Mutu’s Defense and Ongoing Legal Status

During the investigation, Mutu returned ₦150 million to the EFCC, though he later argued in court that the payment was involuntary and that the funds resulted from legitimate business dealings. The court ultimately dismissed these claims, ruling that the money constituted proceeds of unlawful activity.

This civil forfeiture follows a separate, ongoing legal battle; the EFCC is currently appealing a previous judgment by Justice F.O.G. Ogunbanjo, which had acquitted Mutu in a related criminal money laundering trial.

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