FG Files 57 Terror Charges Against Suspects in Yelwata Massacre

FG Files 57 Terror Charges Against Suspects in Yelwata Massacre
The prosecution is being led by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN)
Fagbemi further applied for the substitution of the original charge dated September 9, 2025

The Federal Government on Monday arraigned nine suspects over their alleged involvement in terrorist attacks that claimed the lives of more than 200 residents of Yelwata community in Benue State in June last year.

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The suspects; Ardo Mohammed, Muhammadu Saidu, Haruna Abdullahi, Yakubu Adamu, Muhammed Musa, Abubakar Adamu, Shaibu Ibrahim, Saleh Mohammed and Bako Jibrin were arraigned before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on 57 amended counts bordering on terrorism.

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The prosecution is being led by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).

When the matter was called, Fagbemi informed the court that the Federal Government had filed amended charges against the defendants. He explained that although 10 defendants were initially listed, the prosecution applied to withdraw the name of the sixth defendant, Yakubu Mamman, from the charge sheet.

FG Files 57 Terror Charges Against Suspects in Yelwata Massacre

The defence counsel, including Ibrahim Angulu (SAN), A. I. Kaura and Adamu Abdullahi, did not oppose the application. Justice Abdulmalik subsequently granted the request and struck out Mamman’s name from the charges.

Fagbemi further applied for the substitution of the original charge dated September 9, 2025, and filed on September 10, 2025, which initially listed eight defendants, with the amended charge dated January 19, 2026, and filed on January 20, 2026.

The court granted the application, paving the way for the trial of the remaining nine defendants on the amended terrorism charges.