By: Bayero Ade
The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has taken over the prosecution of Abubakar Abdulkadir, also known as Julde, alongside six others accused of terrorism and kidnapping.
Afripost reports that the case, previously handled by the office of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), has been transferred to the Federal High Court in Abuja. The matter came before Justice Emeka Nwite on Thursday, with the court adjourning proceedings to 17 February 2025 to enable the AGF’s office to assume full responsibility for the prosecution.
The defendants are alleged to have carried out violent crimes, including acts of terrorism and kidnapping, in Taraba State between February and November 2022. Prosecutors allege their involvement in multiple attacks, including one in Sabon Gida village, Gassol Local Government Area, where residents, including Alhaji Maidabo Zide, were kidnapped, ransoms were demanded, and vehicles and livestock were stolen.
Another charge involves a December 2022 attack in Jatau village, Bali Local Government Area, where the defendants allegedly killed Muhammadu Umar and Bagudu Umar, stealing 26 cows and food supplies. These actions reportedly contravene the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act of 2022.
At the hearing, Audu Garba, counsel for the IGP, confirmed the transfer of the case file to the AGF’s office. Justice Nwite acknowledged the AGF’s request for an adjournment to 29 January but rescheduled it to 17 February due to scheduling conflicts.
Defence lawyers raised no objections to the adjournment, but Manjok Agom, representing three of the defendants, expressed dissatisfaction with the delays. He called for the case to be dismissed, arguing that the AGF’s absence in court indicated an inability to proceed.
Justice Nwite rejected the motion, affirming the AGF’s formal role in the prosecution. “The case cannot be struck out given the formal involvement of the Attorney General,” he stated.
The trial will resume in February, with the AGF’s office expected to make further progress in the case.
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