A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered that Samaila Kaigama, accused of facilitating ransom transactions for the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), be detained at the Kuje Correctional Centre until proceedings on his terrorism-related case begin.
Kaigama was brought before Justice Ibrahim Salim on Tuesday to answer a seven-count amended charge filed by the Department of State Services (DSS). He denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to all seven counts.
Following his plea, the court directed that he remain in custody and fixed November 13 for the start of his trial. His detention will continue pending the hearing of his bail application.
The prosecution was led by Oyedepo Rotimi, Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, while Chris Abengowe appeared on behalf of the defendant.
Rotimi urged the court to keep Kaigama in custody and ensure that the case proceeded promptly. The defence counsel, however, could not argue his bail application because it relied on charges that had earlier been struck out.
The prosecution told the court it would file a counter-affidavit to oppose the request for bail.
According to the amended charge, the DSS alleged that Kaigama maintained unauthorised contact with members of Boko Haram and ISWAP and helped negotiate ransom payments connected to the groups.
The prosecution further claimed that he received money from relatives of kidnapped persons while allegedly having reason to believe that the funds would be channelled towards terrorist activities.
Other allegations include withholding information about the groups that could have assisted security agencies in investigating their activities and bringing suspected members to justice.
The charge also accused Kaigama of organising financial contributions from families of abducted persons for onward delivery to terrorists.
Prosecutors alleged that he used social media platforms, including WhatsApp and Facebook, to solicit ransom payments. The charge specifically identified a WhatsApp group called BOSYA and put the alleged financial loss at more than N1.8 million.
In a separate count, Kaigama was accused of mobilising people from affected communities to protest against Senator Ali Ndume and the Borno State Government in July 2026. The prosecution characterised the alleged conduct as incitement to public disorder and cited Section 51 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
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