Court fixes date for trial of two Ansaru commanders

The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled January 15, 2026, as the new date for the trial of two alleged top commanders of Ansaru, an Al-Qaeda-linked terrorist group.

The defendants, Mahmud Usman — also known by several aliases including Abu Bara’a, Abbas, and Mukhtar — and Mahmud al-Nigeri (a.k.a. Malam Mamuda), were arraigned on September 11 on a 32-count charge bordering on terrorism. Usman is described as the group’s self-proclaimed emir, while al-Nigeri is said to be his deputy and chief of staff.

The trial, initially set to begin on Wednesday, was postponed after the defence team requested additional time to thoroughly review the case file. Presiding judge Justice Emeka Nwite granted the adjournment and fixed the new date.

At the proceedings, B. I. Bakum, counsel for the accused, told the court that the charge sheet and proof of evidence were still with the Department of State Services (DSS), where the suspects are being detained on court orders.

He requested that the defendants be transferred to a correctional facility to enable easier access and ensure a smooth trial.

But David Kaswe, counsel to the DSS, opposed the request and urged the court to proceed with the trial as scheduled, saying prosecution witnesses were already present in court.

Kaswe argued that DSS protocol requires defence counsel to write formally to the agency and copy him when seeking access to detained clients.

He said Bakum had not complied with the procedure, adding that observing the protocol would help avoid delays.

In a brief ruling, Justice Nwite said he would grant the defence request in the interest of fair hearing, and agreed to shift the commencement of trial.

The judge adjourned the matter to January 15 and ordered the defence lawyer to write formally to the DSS for permission to visit his clients and copy the prosecution to facilitate access going forward.