Four suspects allegedly involved in the 2021 kidnapping of University of Abuja (UniAbuja) lecturers and their children were arraigned at a Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday.
Presented by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), they faced a two-count terrorism charge before Justice Donatus Okorowo. Identified as Adamu Abubakar, Nura Muhammed Ahmadu, Ismailia Abubakar, and Abdulrahman Ado, they pleaded not guilty.
Before their arraignment, they signaled their desire to speak in court. While initially advised to communicate through their counsel, they insisted, expressing concerns about their families’ ignorance of their whereabouts and alleging mistreatment since their arrest over two years ago.
Upon their plea, AGF’s lawyer, David Kaswe, requested their remand, suggesting a trial date. Their counsel, C.S. Nwaogu, advocated for remand in Kuje Correctional Centre for family access, contrary to Kaswe’s proposal of Department of State Service (DSS) custody due to the nature of the charge.
Justice Okorowo ordered their remand in the DSS facility, adjourning the trial until July 24.
The abduction occurred on Nov. 2, 2021, in UniAbuja Staff Quarters, Gwagwalada, involving six victims, including Professor Joseph Adavani and Dr. Ferguson Tobins.
The kidnappers demanded a ransom of N300 million but were thwarted by a joint operation led by the FCT Command, leading to the victims’ release on Nov. 5, 2021, and the arrest of suspects.
The Federal Government, through the AGF’s office, filed a two-count criminal charge against the four suspects on July 11, 2023, alleging contravention of Sections 15 and 17 of the Terrorism Act.
