The development comes amid the defendants’ repeated absence from court as their terrorism trial continues to unravel.
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday issued bench warrants for the arrest of five suspects accused of providing material support to one of Nigeria’s most notorious terrorist kingpins, Bello Turji.
The development comes amid the defendants’ repeated absence from court as their terrorism trial continues to unravel.
Justice Emeka Nwite, presiding over the case, made the order following an oral application by counsel to the Federal Government, David Kaswe.
The request came after the defendants, Musa Kamarawa, Abubakar Hashimu, also known as “Doctor,” Samuel Chinedu, and Lucky Chukwuma, failed to appear in court for the scheduled continuation of their trial.
When the case was called, none of the four defendants were present, prompting Justice Nwite to inquire of their lawyer, A.M. Lukman, regarding their whereabouts.
Lukman explained that he had contacted Kamarawa, the first defendant, who had promised to appear. However, the defendants remained absent.
Kaswe informed the court that government witnesses were present as scheduled and applied for the immediate issuance of bench warrants for the defendants’ arrest, a request the court granted.
Justice Nwite adjourned the matter until February 24, 2026, for the continuation of the trial.
The case traces back to a December 22, 2025, ruling when Justice Nwite allowed the Federal Government’s application to reopen the terrorism charges against the suspects.
The charges, initially filed on December 16, 2024, were struck out on July 8, 2025, after defence counsel successfully argued for dismissal on grounds of lack of diligent prosecution.
The Federal Government, represented by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), had filed an 11-count terrorism charge against eight defendants, including Bello Turji, who remains at large.
The first five defendants, namely Musa Kamarawa, Abubakar Hashimu a.k.a. Doctor, Bashir Abdullahi, Samuel Chinedu, and Lucky Chukwuma, face a series of grave accusations, while Turji, Aminu Muhammad, and Sani Lawal, all fugitives, are listed as sixth to eighth defendants.
According to the prosecution, the suspects allegedly provided critical material support to terrorist groups led by Turji and others, including Kachalla Halilu, Danbokolo, Lawali, Atarwatse, and Buderi.
Their activities reportedly included supplying illicit drugs such as Penta injections and cannabis (marijuana), food, police and military uniforms, camouflage gear, boots, caps, as well as construction materials including cement, iron rods, nails, and zinc sheets to terrorist camps across Zamfara, Sokoto, and Kaduna states.
In a particularly serious count, Kamarawa, Muhammad, and Lawal were accused of procuring a military gun truck from Libya in 2021, which was subsequently supplied to Kachalla Halilu for terrorist operations in Sokoto State at a cost of approximately ₦28.5 million.
They allegedly paid part of the amount in cash and the remainder via electronic transfer, fully aware that the vehicle would be used to commit acts of terrorism.
Another count implicates Kamarawa, Hashimu, and Abdullahi in providing medical care, wound treatment, and shelter to Bello Turji following an attack on Tungar Kolo Village in Zamfara’s Zurmi Local Government Area in 2018. These acts, the prosecution argues, constitute a direct facilitation of terrorism under Sections 8(1)(b), 17, and 18(a) of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013.
When arraigned on December 23, 2024, the four defendants denied all involvement.
Justice Nwite subsequently ordered their remand at Kuje Correctional Centre and adjourned the matter for pending applications, including bail motions.
A March 14, 2025, bail request was rejected, and an order for witness protection was granted.
The trial began with the testimony of the prosecution’s first witness, identified as “ABC” for security reasons, who recounted Kamarawa’s role in procuring a gun truck used by Kachalla Halilu to carry out attacks.
The trial has faced multiple disruptions, including the absence of both the defendants and the lead prosecution counsel on various dates, which contributed to the temporary striking out of the case in July 2025.