Court fixes Nov 13 for review of facts in FG’s terrorism case against woman

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has fixed November 13 for review of facts in a case against a woman, Sumaiya Abubakar, who pleaded guilty to rendering support to members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Nasarawa State. 

The trial judge, Justice Mohammed Umar, adjourned the matter on Wednesday to allow the prosecution to serve the defendant’s lawyer, E.G. Itodo, with necessary documents in their defence. 

The Federal Government had filed a two-count charge against Sumaiya, the sole defendant in the case. 

The Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF), Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/418/2026, accused the defendant of terrorism-related offences. 

In count two, where she pleaded guilty, Sumaiya, who hails from Shuwari village, Kukawa Local Government Area (LGA) of Borno, was alleged to have committed the offence sometime in 2024, at Shinge area, Lafiya LGA of Nasarawa State.

She was alleged to have knowingly rendered support to members of ISWAP by helping them to keep arms and ammunition.

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The offence, the prosecution said, is contrary to and punishable under Section  13 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

She, however, pleaded not guilty to count one, which bordered on having information about ISWAP activities, a proscribed terrorist organisation, but failed to disclose this to any law enforcement agency. 

The court struck out count one from the charge after the prosecution made the application to that effect, which was not opposed by the defence lawyer. 

Justice Ibrahim then fixed Wednesday for a review of facts, and when the case was called,

M. A. Oladunjoye, from the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), informed the court that the matter was for review of facts, following Sumaiya’s plea of guilty to count two. 

She said their witness, an investigator with the Department of State Services (DSS), was in court to give evidence in the review of facts. 

Oladunjoye said she was ready to proceed with the hearing in the matter, but Itodo raised an objection to the hearing of the case on the ground that he was yet to be served with necessary documents to aid in their defence. 

Justice Ibrahim subsequently adjourned the matter till November 13 for review of facts and also ordered the prosecution to ensure that all necessary documents are made available to the defence to before the next adjourned date.