Alleged Yelwata massacre: Trial of 9 stalled after defendant slumped in court

The trial of nine suspected terrorists linked with the June 2025 Yelwata killings was, on Tuesday, stalled after one of the defendants fainted in court. Alhaji Haruna Abdullahi, the 3rd defendant, slumped from his seat and fell to the floor, prior to the commencement of the case before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High […]

The trial of nine suspected terrorists linked with the June 2025 Yelwata killings was, on Tuesday, stalled after one of the defendants fainted in court.

Alhaji Haruna Abdullahi, the 3rd defendant, slumped from his seat and fell to the floor, prior to the commencement of the case before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The prison officials who brought them to court tried to revive him and later helped him back on his chair, but he remained unresponsive.

Upon resumed hearing, counsel to the prosecution, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, told the court that the matter was slated for trial-within-trial.

Oyedepo, however, said that he was informed by officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service that the 3rd defendant, Abdullahi, who came to court by himself, developed serious health issues while in court.

He said the Federal Government is not persecuting the defendants but that the defendants are being prosecuted over their alleged involvement in the killings in Yelwata Community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue.

According to the lawyer, the defendant must be well enough to face his trial in court.

Ahmed Mohammad, who appeared for Alhaji Abdullahi, told the judge that even though his client came to court by himself, his health condition had worsened, leading to his collapse in court.

He prayed the court for an adjournment to enable the defendant to get medical attention at any hospital in Abuja.

 

Counsel to the 1st defendant, Ibrahim Angulu SAN, including Oyedepo, did not object to the request for adjournment.

 

Consequently, the judge adjourned the matter until March 30 and 31 for continuation of the trial.

 

She also ordered that hearing notices should be served on the defendants.

 

The defendants were alleged to have carried out the terror attack on June 13, 2025, in Yelwata town, where many houses were burnt down, and about 150 people were massacred, while others sustained various degrees of injuries.

The suspects are Lawal Dono, Muhammadu Saidu, Haruna Abdullahi, Yakubu Adamu, Musa Mohammed, Abubakar Adamu, Shaibu Ibrahim, Sale Mohammed and Bako Jibrin. (NAN)