JUST IN: FG arraigns nine suspects over Benue killings

The federal government on Monday arraigned nine suspects over their alleged roles in the attack on Yelwata community in Benue state.

The suspects were presented before Joyce Abdulmalik, judge of the federal high court in Abuja, for the commencement of trial.

Lateef Fagbemi, attorney-general of the federation, informed the court that the prosecution had filed a 57-count amended charge against the defendants.

The amended charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/471/2025, was filed on January 20, 2026.

Fagbemi requested that the name of Yakubu Mamman be struck out from the charge, leaving nine defendants to face trial.

The application was not opposed by defence lawyers, including Ibrahim Angulu, A. I. Kaura and Adamu Abdullah.

Following the request, the court struck out Yakubu Mamman’s name from the amended charge.

Joyce Abdulmalik also struck out the earlier charge dated September 10, 2025, which had listed eight defendants.

All nine defendants present in court pleaded not guilty to the 57-count amended charge.

Those arraigned include Ardo Lawal Mohammed, Muhammadu Saidu, Alhaji Haruna Abdullahi, Yakubu Adamu, Muhammed Musa, Abubakar Adamu, Shaibu Ibrahim, Saleh Mohammed and Bako Jibrin.