By our reporter 2.2.2026
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has remanded nine suspects alleged to have participating in the killing of villagers in the Yelwata community of Benue State.
Over 200 people were slaughtered in the massacre that occurred in June 2025.
Presiding judge Justice Joyce Abdulmalik ordered that the nine suspects be remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre pending trial after they were arraigned Monday by the Federal Government prosecutors lead by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN). The suspects were arraigned on a 57-count charge.
The suspects were identified as Ado Lawal Mohammed Dunu, Alhaji Haruna Abdullahi, Yakubu Adamu, Mohammed Musa, Abubakar Adamu, Shuaibu Adamu, Isa Yusuf Nagogo, Ado Mohammed Saidu and Jibril Bako, They all pleaded not guilty when the counts were read to them through an interpreter.
The AGF asked for an accelerated trial, and the defendants were remanded at a correctional center, pending the commencement of the trial.
Counsel for the first, eighth, and ninth defendants asked for an oral application for bail.
The AGF said eight witnesses were ready to testify at the trial.
However, Justice Abdulmalik ordered that they be remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre pending trial.
The case was adjourned to February 26 and 27 for trial.