Bello Turji: FG arraigns 4 linked to notorious bandit leader
By Jeffrey Agbo
The Federal Government on Monday arraigned four suspects allegedly connected to Bello Turji, a notorious bandit leader, on terrorism-related charges before a Federal High Court in Abuja.
The defendants—Musa Muhammad Kamarawa, Abubakar Hashimu (also known as Doctor), Samuel Chinedu, and Lucky Chukwuma—pleaded not guilty to the 11-count charge when it was read to them by Justice Emeka Nwite.
The case, filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) under case number FHC/ABJ/CR/633/2024, originally listed eight defendants. However, only four were present in court, while Bello Turji and three others—Bashir Abdullahi, Aminu Muhammad, and Sani Lawal—were declared at large.
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During the proceedings, Justice Nwite questioned the absence of Bashir Abdullahi, the third defendant. The prosecution counsel, David Kaswe, confirmed Abdullahi’s fugitive status and apologized for the oversight, requesting the court to formally mark him as “at large.” The judge granted the request.
The charges, filed on December 16 by M.B. Abubakar, Director of the Department of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, accuse the defendants of terrorism-related activities.
The present suspects are listed as the 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th defendants, while Turji and the three other fugitives are identified as the 3rd, 6th, 7th, and 8th defendants.