The Federal Government has re-arraigned Samaila Kaigama, President of the Borno State Youths Association, on terrorism-related charges....
The Federal Government has re-arraigned Samaila Kaigama, President of the Borno State Youths Association, on terrorism-related charges.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Justice Ibrahim ordered that the defendant be remanded in Kuje Correctional Center pending the hearing of his bail application
Kaigama was earlier arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) on July 22, 2026, following allegations surrounding ransom payments for the release of abducted residents of Ngoshe community in Borno State.
Reports said the youth leader had publicly alleged that about ₦5 billion was paid to Boko Haram insurgents to secure the release of abducted women and children.
He reportedly linked Senator Ali Ndume to the alleged payment, a claim the senator and the Borno State Government rejected.
Kaigama was subsequently arraigned before Justice Salim Ibrahim of the Federal High Court in Abuja on July 29, 2026, on a four-count charge under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The charges reportedly included allegations of concealing information about terrorist activities, soliciting funds for Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), and providing financial services to the groups.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges, following which the court ordered that he be remanded in DSS custody.
The court also directed that he be allowed access to his lawyer and two family members and receive adequate medical attention.
The case was subsequently adjourned to September 24, 2026, for the commencement of trial.