KEY POINTS

• Six defendants were arraigned in Abuja on a 13-count charge of alleged terrorism and pleaded not guilty.
• Court proceedings were briefly delayed due to absence of counsel and need for an interpreter.
• The judge ordered their remand in DSS custody and fixed April 27, 2026, for trial.

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of six individuals in the custody of the Department of State Services, DSS, after they were arraigned on a 13-count charge bordering on alleged terrorism.

During proceedings on Wednesday, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, informed the court that the charges were ready and requested that they be read to the defendants.

The hearing, which began at about 1:46 p.m., experienced a brief interruption when one of the defendants informed the court that his lawyer was unavailable. Additionally, counsel to another defendant stated that his client only understood Arabic and Hausa, prompting the court to temporarily stand down the case to arrange for an interpreter.

When the session resumed around 2:18 p.m., all six defendants took their pleas, each denying the allegations and pleading not guilty.

Court Grants Accelerated Hearing, Fixes Trial Date

Following the arraignment, the prosecution urged the court to remand the defendants in DSS custody and requested an expedited hearing of the case. Defence counsel did not oppose the request, although one indicated plans to file a bail application.

In his ruling, the trial judge granted the request for accelerated hearing, ordered that the defendants remain in DSS custody with access to their lawyers, and adjourned the matter until April 27, 2026, for the commencement of trial.