The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed November 13 for a review of facts in the case against Sumaiya Abubakar, who pleaded guilty to supporting members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Nasarawa State.
Justice Mohammed Umar adjourned the matter to allow the prosecution to serve the defendant’s lawyer, E.G. Itodo, with the necessary documents ahead of the proceedings.
The Federal Government filed a two-count charge against Abubakar in a case marked FHC/ABJ/CR/418/2026. The Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, accused her of terrorism-related offences.
In count two, to which she pleaded guilty, Abubakar was accused of knowingly supporting ISWAP members by helping to keep arms and ammunition in the Shinge area of Lafia Local Government Area, Nasarawa State, in 2024.
The prosecution said the offence was punishable under Section 13 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
She had pleaded not guilty to count one, which accused her of failing to disclose information about the activities of the proscribed terrorist organisation to law enforcement agencies. However, the court struck out the count following an application by the prosecution, which the defence did not oppose.
Earlier, M. A. Oladunjoye, from the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, told the court that the matter was scheduled for a review of facts following Abubakar’s guilty plea to count two.
She said an investigator with the Department of State Services (DSS) was in court to testify and that the prosecution was ready to proceed.
However, Itodo objected to the hearing, stating that he had not received the necessary documents to prepare the defence.
The court subsequently adjourned the matter until November 13 and directed the prosecution to provide the defence with all necessary documents before the next sitting.
