By John Azu
The Department of State Services (DSS) has filed fresh charges against five suspects allegedly linked to the May 15 abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, during which two of the victims were killed.
The suspects are alleged members of Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan (ANSARU), a terrorist group.
They are Mahmud Muhammad, also known as Abu Bara’a and Abbas Mukhtar; Abubakar Abbas, also known as Isah Adam and Mallam Mahmuda Al-Nigeri; Abdulrazak Umar, also known as Abu Khalifa and Abu Khalid; Yunusa Musa, also known as Yunusa bin Musa; and Shamsu Adamu Sani, also known as Abu Itisar.
Three of the suspects—Umar, Musa and Sani—had earlier been convicted after pleading guilty to the offences.
The fresh charges, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/438/2026, were filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF), Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN.
The suspects are expected to be re-arraigned on Thursday, September 17.
When the case came up on Wednesday, the defendants requested an adjournment to enable them to secure legal representation of their choice.
Akilaluyel Shettima, a Deputy Director with the Legal Aid Council, announced his appearance for the five defendants. However, the first defendant, Mahmud Muhammad, objected, saying they were already being represented by Bala Dakum.
Oyedepo told the court that the issue of legal representation was a constitutional requirement and should be respected by allowing the defendants to choose their lawyers in the interest of justice.
Following the submission, Justice Salim Ibrahim adjourned the matter until Thursday for the defendants’ arraignment.