- The defendants are facing a nine-count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, and murder
- She added that the court adjourned the matter to allow for further legal proceedings
- the police later announced the arrest of suspects allegedly connected to the robbery gang
The Federal Capital Territory High Court has fixed February 26, 2026, for the continuation of trial in the case involving 11 suspects accused of killing an ARISE News journalist, Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu, and a security guard, Barnabas Danlami.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the adjournment was confirmed on Wednesday by the spokesperson of the FCT Police Command, Josephine Adeh, who disclosed that the suspects were formally arraigned before the court on multiple charges.
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According to the police, the defendants are facing a nine-count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, and murder. Those standing trial were identified as Shamsu Hassan, Sani Sirajo, Hassan Isah, Abubakar Alkamu, Abdulsalam Saleh, Suleiman Badamasi, Zaharadeen Mohammed, Musa Umar, Mashkur Jamil, Suleiman Sani, and Abubakar Usman.
Adeh explained that the suspects were linked to the fatal robbery attack that occurred on September 29, 2025, at Unique Apartments in Katampe Extension, Mabushi area of Abuja, where the victims were reportedly killed.
She added that the court adjourned the matter to allow for further legal proceedings, while urging members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to nearby police formations.
The killing of Maduagwu, who was an anchor, reporter, and producer with ARISE News, sparked widespread condemnation across the country, with many Nigerians expressing concern over the rising wave of violent crime.
Following investigations, the police later announced the arrest of suspects allegedly connected to the robbery gang, noting that some of them were traced to Kaduna and Katsina states, with weapons reportedly sourced from outside Nigeria.
Maduagwu was subsequently laid to rest in her hometown of Agulu, Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State, after a funeral Mass held at St Theresa’s Catholic Church.
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