By Muhammad Mamman
Two senior leaders of Ansaru, the Al-Qaeda-linked terror network, appeared before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday to face 32 terrorism-related charges, amid an extraordinary security lockdown.
The defendants—Mahmud Muhammed Usman (also known as Abu Bara’a/Abbas Mukhtar) and his deputy, Abubakar Abba (a.k.a. Isah Adam/Mahmud Al-Nigeri)—are among the most wanted terror suspects globally. They were arrested earlier this year following a multi-agency, intelligence-driven operation carried out between May and July, and their capture was announced in August by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
By 8:00 a.m., despite heavy rainfall, heavily armed operatives of the State Security Service (SSS) had cordoned off the court complex along the Shehu Shagari Expressway in Abuja’s Central Business District. Security personnel took strategic positions at all entrances, restricting movement and subjecting those entering the building to strict checks.
At approximately 9:09 a.m., the suspects were ushered into the courtroom of Justice Emeka Nwite on the fourth floor. Journalists attempting to cover the proceedings were initially barred, with broadcast crews ordered not to set up cameras or recording devices. Eventually, a handful of media personnel were allowed limited access under close watch, while security operatives maintained their blockade.
The Federal Government, represented by the Director of Public Prosecutions, M.B. Abubakar, filed the charges on 4 September on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi.
Among the charges, Usman—said to hail from Okene in Kogi State—and Abba—from Daura in Katsina State—stand accused of aiding and abetting terrorism between 2013 and 2015, as well as conspiring to establish and lead Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimeena Fii Bilaadis Sudan (Ansaru), a proscribed terrorist organisation in Nigeria.
Court proceedings were ongoing at the time of filing this report.
