The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday gave a suspected commander of the Al-Qaeda-affiliated Ansaru terrorist group, Abubakar Abba, until July 20 to decide whether to change his not-guilty plea to terrorism-related charges filed against him by the Department of State Services (DSS).
Justice Emeka Nwite granted Abba time to make up his mind after the defendant indicated his intention to withdraw his earlier plea of not guilty but later told the court that he remained undecided.
Naija News reports that Abba is standing trial alongside Mahmud Usman and Isah Adam, also known as Mahmud Al-Nigeri, on terrorism-related charges.
The matter had been scheduled for continuation of the hearing on Thursday before it took a new turn following Abba’s indication that he was considering changing his plea.
During the proceedings, Abba informed the court of his intention to withdraw his earlier not-guilty plea.
However, after conferring with his counsel, Husseina Tukur, the defendant told the court that he had yet to decide whether to change his plea or retain his previous position.
The prosecuting counsel, David Kaswe, opposed a further adjournment of the case.
Kaswe argued that the defendant had made a similar request at the previous sitting and urged the court to proceed with the trial if Abba was unable to make up his mind.
Court Grants Defendant More Time
In a short ruling, Justice Nwite held that Thursday’s proceedings marked the first time Abba’s intention to change his plea had been formally brought before the court.
The judge ruled that since the issue was being officially raised on record for the first time, the defendant should be given an opportunity to make a final decision.
Justice Nwite subsequently adjourned the case until July 20 for Abba to decide whether to change his plea or for the court to continue with the hearing.
DSS Files 32 Terrorism Charges
The defendants were arrested in separate operations carried out by the DSS between May and July 2025.
They were subsequently charged with 32 terrorism-related offences, including terrorism and terrorism financing, kidnapping for ransom, illegal mining, funding terrorism and fabricating Improvised Explosive Devices.
The prosecution also accused the defendants of coordinating sleeper cells and attacks and maintaining links with terrorist groups operating in the Sahel and Maghreb regions.
At their arraignment, Usman pleaded guilty to one count of illegal mining linked to the alleged financing of terrorism and procurement of arms.
The court subsequently sentenced him to 15 years’ imprisonment on the count.
Usman, however, pleaded not guilty to the remaining 31 charges, while Abba initially pleaded not guilty to all the counts brought against him.
Abba will now return to court on July 20 to communicate his final decision on whether to retain or change his plea.
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