Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed January 15, 2026, for the commencement of the trial of two alleged leaders of the Ansaru terrorist group, Mahmud Usman and Abubakar Abba.
The duo is being prosecuted by the Department of State Services (DSS) on terrorism-related charges.
The trial was initially scheduled to begin on Wednesday but was postponed following a request by the defence counsel, B.I. Bakum, who said he had not yet been served with the full charges or the accompanying proofs of evidence.
Bakum also asked the court to transfer the defendants from DSS custody to a correctional centre to enable easier access and ensure a smooth trial process.
However, DSS counsel David Kaswe opposed the request, insisting that the trial proceed since witnesses were already in court.
He told Justice Nwite that DSS protocol requires defence lawyers to formally write the agency for access to their clients and copy the prosecution, a procedure he said the defence had failed to follow.
In a brief ruling, Justice Nwite adjourned the matter, stating that the court would prioritise fair hearing.
He ordered the defence counsel to henceforth write formally to the DSS for access to the detainees and copy the prosecutor accordingly.
Usman and Abba face a 32-count terrorism charge filed by the DSS, detailing offences allegedly committed between 2015 and 2024.
Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a, previously pleaded guilty to one count involving illegal mining and using the proceeds to acquire arms for terrorism and kidnapping, for which he was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment on September 11.
He denied the remaining charges.
The charges accuse the duo of involvement in bombing Wawa Military Cantonment in Niger State, receiving advanced weapons training in Mali and Sudan, fabricating improvised explosive devices (IEDs), financing terrorism, and participating in high-profile kidnappings, including abducting a Customs officer and an Immigration officer, the latter of whom was killed in captivity.
The DSS also alleged that the suspects collected millions of naira in ransom payments, ran illegal mining operations, and used the proceeds to procure sophisticated arms and ammunition.
Usman and Abba were arrested in 2025 during intelligence-led operations and are believed to be key leaders of Ansaru, a splinter faction of Boko Haram known for orchestrating kidnappings, ambushes on security forces, and attacks on civilians.
Justice Nwite had previously ordered their remand at the DSS facility in Abuja pending the commencement of their full trial.
