The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, issued a bench warrant for the arrest of five suspects linked to the notorious terrorist kingpin, Bello Turji.
Justice Emeka Nwite made the order after counsel for the Federal Government, David Kaswe, moved the oral application to the effect.
They suspects are Musa Kamarawa, Abubakar Hashimu, a.k.a. Doctor; Samuel Chinedu and Lucky Chukwuma.
The development followed the absence of the defendants in court to stand their trial.
When the case was called for continuation of trial, none of the four defendants was in court.
Justice Nwite then asked their lawyer, A.M. Lukman, of their whereabouts.
Responding, Lukman told the court that he reached out to the 1st defendant (Kamarawa) and he promised that they would be coming to court.
The lawyer, however, expressed surprise that the defendants were not present in court.
Kaswe then informed the court that they were in court with their witnesses as promised.
He, therefore, applied that a bench warrant be issued for the defendants’ arrest and the judge granted it.
Justice Nwite subsequently adjourned the matter until Feb. 24 for continuation of trial.
The judge had, on Dec. 22, 2025, granted an application filed by the Federal Government to reopen the terrorism charge filed against the five suspects.
Justice Nwite granted the application in a ruling on the motion on notice filed by Kaswe, seeking an order re-listing the charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/633/2024, in the cause list of the court.
He held that the motion, moved by Kaswe, was meritorious and adjourned the matter until Jan. 21 (today) for hearing.
The charge was struck out on July 8, 2025, by the judge after the defence counsel moved an oral application to the effect for lack of diligent prosecution.
The Federal Government, through the AGF, had preferred an 11-count terrorism charge against eight defendants, including Bello Turji, who is still at large.
