The trial of nine suspects linked to a deadly attack in Yelwata, Benue State, has hit a snag. One of the defendants, Alhaji Haruna Abdullahi, collapsed in court and was unable to participate in the proceedings. The incident occurred on Tuesday, when the trial-within-trial was set to continue to determine the admissibility of the defendants' confessional statements.
The defendants, who are facing 57 terrorism-related charges, had pleaded not guilty and have been attending trial from custody. They include Ardo Lawal Mohammed Dono, Ardo Muhammadu Saidu, Yakubu Adamu, Musa Mohammed, Abubakar Adamu, Shaibu Ibrahim, Sale Mohammed, and Bako Jibrin.
The prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, acknowledged that prison officials had confirmed the defendant's good condition before arriving in court. However, defence lawyers urged the court to allow the defendant to receive urgent medical attention, citing humanitarian grounds.
The judge, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, granted the application and ordered that hearing notices be served on absent defence counsel. The case was adjourned till March 30 and 31 for continuation of hearing.
||| The adjournment of the trial of Yelwata attack suspects raises serious questions about the Nigerian justice system's handling of terrorism cases. The collapse of one of the defendants highlights the need for adequate healthcare facilities in prisons and courts. The fact that the defendant was reportedly in good condition before the incident raises concerns about the prison's ability to provide adequate care for its inmates. The case also underscores the importance of ensuring that defendants receive timely medical attention, as advocated by defence lawyers.
