Proceedings in the terrorism case linked to the Angwan Rukuba killings resumed at the Plateau State High Court in Jos on Thursday, with the court fixing July 1 and 2, 2026, for definite hearing and the appearance of witnesses.
The trial, involving four defendants accused of terrorism and acts of terrorism, came up before Justice Gidelia Fomyon of Court 9 for a Case Management Conference conducted under the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) 2024 and the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.
Representing the Plateau State Government in the matter was the Attorney General of the state, Philemon Daffi, who led the prosecution team. Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mustapha Shaba Ibrahim, appeared for the first and second defendants, while M.M. Salihu represented the third defendant and M.B. Abdullahi stood in for the fourth defendant.
The four defendants standing trial are Isa Umar Ibrahim, Adamu Isa Alhassan, Auwalu Abubakar and Musa Abubakar Ibrahim.
At the commencement of the session, the prosecution informed the court that it was fully prepared for the Case Management Conference. Daffi adopted the prosecution’s case management form filed on May 17, 2026, and requested the court to issue its report.
Lawyers representing the defendants also informed the court of their readiness and adopted their respective responses already filed before the court. Counsel to the first and second defendants stated that their response was filed on May 6, while the third defendant filed on May 7. Counsel to the fourth defendant equally confirmed filing on May 6, 2026.
The defence team thereafter urged the court to issue the report in accordance with the relevant legal provisions.
Justice Fomyon, while addressing the parties, noted that case management reports are usually expected within 60 days. However, he said the nature of the matter and the level of public attention surrounding it required flexibility in fixing hearing dates convenient for all parties involved.
The court further observed that some of the defendants had pending applications challenging the court’s jurisdiction.
While defence counsel argued that the notices of preliminary objection should be considered together with the substantive trial, the prosecution opposed the request, insisting that the issue of jurisdiction must first be resolved to avoid what it described as a “journey in futility.”
Daffi also urged the court to consider the public interest generated by the case and ensure speedy proceedings by determining the jurisdictional objections before the commencement of the main trial.
In his ruling, Justice Fomyon declared that the case management process had been completed in line with the law and adjourned the matter to May 26, 2026, for the presentation of the court’s report on the conference.
The court subsequently fixed July 1 and 2, 2026, for definite hearing in the terrorism trial.