The Plateau State High Court sitting in Jos, on Tuesday, granted leave to four persons standing trial for their roles in the deadly Angwa Rukuba attacks to produce five defence witnesses each.
On Palm Sunday of 2026, an unspecified number of gunmen attacked Angwa Rukuba in Jos North LGA of the state, killing about 30 persons. Days later, the Department of State Services, DSS, arrested Isa Umar Ibrahim, Auwalu Abubakar aka Auwalu Dogo, and Musa Abubakar Ibrahim aka Yaroro.
The Plateau State government charged the three suspects alongside one Ado Ibrahim, said to be at large, with criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, illegal possession of firearms, and illegally dealing in arms and ammunition.
Ruling on a case management conference, the trial judge, Justice Gedaliah Fwomyon granted a prayer by Ibrahim, Auwalu Dogo, and Musa Abubakar to produce five defence witnesses each.
The judge, who reiterated his promise to grant their matter accelerated hearing, said two full days would be dedicated to the testimony of each defendant’s five witnesses.
The court further ruled that the prosecution answered all the questions in the case management information sheet, and craved reliance of statements of the evidence, the defendants and their witnesses.
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Justice Fwomyon also ruled that defendants shall be allowed the use of interpreters provided by them or the court, that they can challenge the admissibility of their statement, and be allowed to invite expert witnesses.
The judge, however ruled that no party shall be allowed to raise any interlocutory matter in the matter except the ones filed and adopted by the court. Interlocutory matters may be allowed in extreme circumstances, he added.
The judge listed 1st and 2nd July 2026, for hearing on the substantive matter, should the defendants fail to challenge the jurisdiction of the court.
The court decided that the defendants shall remain in custody of the DSS until the next adjourned date.
Recall that President Bola Tinubu had while recently approving a ₦2 billion relief package for victims of the Angwa Rukuba attacks, promised them justice, and to bring perpetrators of the attack to book.
Crediblenewsng.com
