FG arraigns nine suspects over Yelwata attack

The federal government has arraigned nine individuals over their alleged roles in the deadly attack on Yelwata community in Benue State.

The suspects appeared before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday.

At the start of proceedings, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, informed the court that a 57-count amended charge had been filed against the defendants. The charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/471/2025, was submitted on January 20, 2026.

Fagbemi requested the court to remove the name of one defendant, Yakubu Mamman, from the charge, leaving nine suspects to be arraigned. Defence counsels, including Ibrahim Angulu, A.I. Kaura, and Adamu Abdullah, did not oppose the application. The judge subsequently struck out Mamman’s name from the charge.

Justice Abdulmalik also dismissed an earlier charge filed on September 10, 2025, which listed eight defendants.

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

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