Court Adjourns Trial Of Two Ansaru Leaders To November 19 Over SSS Counsel’s Absence

The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the trial of two alleged top commanders of the Ansaru terrorist group, Mahmud Usman and Abubakar Abba, until November 19, 2025, for the continuation of proceedings on terrorism-related charges.

Justice Emeka Nwite fixed the new date following the absence of the counsel to the Department of State Services (DSS), Mohammed Abubakar, who sent a letter to the court apologising for his inability to appear and requesting an adjournment.

Counsel to the defendants did not oppose the application, prompting the court to grant the request.

The trial involves Mahmud Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a or Abbas Mukhtar, and his deputy commander, Abubakar Abba, alias Isah Adam or Mahmud Al-Nigeri, both alleged leaders of the Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimeena Fii Bilaadis Sudan (JAMBS/Ansaru)—an Al-Qaeda-affiliated network proscribed in Nigeria.

On September 11, Justice Nwite convicted and sentenced Usman to 15 years imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to count 10 of the 32-count terrorism charge, which bordered on illegal mining. The court held that the offence contravened Section 8(b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, LFN 2004.

According to the prosecution, Usman and Abba allegedly engaged in illegal mining of precious minerals, including thunder and california stones, to fund terrorist operations between 2015 and 2025.

While Usman admitted guilt to the charge of illegal mining, Abba pleaded not guilty to all counts.

Both defendants, arraigned in case number FHC/ABJ/CR/464/2025, were accused of conspiring to lead Ansaru, receiving training in weapons handling, fabricating Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), and training in war tactics from Jama’atu Nusratil Islami Wal Muslimin (JNIM), a terrorist organisation based in Mali.

The Federal Government, through the Director of Public Prosecutions, alleged that the two men committed several acts of terrorism between 2013 and 2025.

These include:

• Masterminding the 2022 attack on the Wawa Cantonment of the Nigerian Army in Kainji, Niger State, which resulted in multiple casualties.
• Coordinating the 2022 Kuje Correctional Centre attack, which led to the escape of over 600 inmates.
• Planning the Niger uranium facility attack and several kidnappings, including that of French engineer Francis Collomp in 2013.
• The 2019 abduction of Alhaji Musa Umar Uba, Magajin Garin Daura, as well as multiple armed robbery operations.

Following their arraignment, Justice Nwite ordered that both defendants be remanded in DSS custody pending the conclusion of their trial.

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, had earlier confirmed the duo’s arrest following coordinated security operations.

The court will reconvene on November 19 for the continuation of trial.

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