The Department of State Services (DSS) is scheduled to re-arraign five suspected members of the Ansaru terrorist group on Thursday, September 17, 2026, over their alleged involvement in the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oyo State.
The suspects are accused of involvement in the May 15 abduction in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State and the subsequent killing of two of the victims, according to the charges against them.
The re-arraignment was initially expected to take place on Wednesday but was postponed after the accused insisted on being represented by their own lawyer.
Five suspects
The five accused persons are Mahmud Muhammad, also known as Abu Bara’a or Abbas Mukhtar; Abubakar Abbas, also known as Isah Adam or Mallam Mahmuda Al-Nigeri; Abdulrazak Umar, also known as Abu Khalifa or Abu Khalid; Yunusa Musa, also known as Abu Yunusa Bin Musa; and Shamsu Adamu Sani, also known as Abu Itisar.
They are alleged to be members of Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan, commonly known as Ansaru.
The Federal Government, through the Director of Public Prosecutions, has filed an amended six-count charge against the accused.
Defence representation causes postponement
During proceedings on Wednesday, a representative of the Legal Aid Council appeared for the defendants.
However, the first accused, Mahmud Muhammad, objected and told the court that the defendants wanted to continue with a lawyer who had previously represented them.
The prosecution reportedly accepted that the defendants’ choice of legal representation was a constitutional matter that should be respected.
Justice Salim Ibrahim consequently adjourned the matter until September 17 and directed that the accused be given access to their preferred lawyer to prepare for the proceedings.
Allegations remain before the court
The five men are accused of serious terrorism-related offences connected to the Oyo school abduction.
However, the allegations remain matters before the court, and the defendants are entitled to the presumption of innocence unless and until they are proven guilty.
The Thursday proceedings are expected to determine the next stage of the prosecution following the amendment of the charges.