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By Correspondent in Abuja.
Proceedings in the high-profile trial of nine suspects linked to the alleged Yelwata massacre were abruptly halted on Tuesday following a dramatic turn of events at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where one of the defendants slumped in open court.
The incident occurred shortly before the commencement of the day’s proceedings before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, when the third defendant, Alhaji Haruna Abdullahi, suddenly collapsed from his seat and fell to the floor.
The development throwed the courtroom into confusion.
Officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service who escorted the defendants to court made frantic efforts to revive him and later lifted him back onto his chair.
However, Abdullahi remained unresponsive, raising serious concerns about his health condition.
When the court resumed, prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, informed the court that the matter was scheduled for a trial-within-trial.
He, however, disclosed that correctional officials had briefed him that Abdullahi, who initially appeared fit and had walked into the courtroom unaided, developed severe health complications during the proceedings.
Oyedepo emphasised that the Federal Government was not persecuting the defendants but prosecuting them over their alleged roles in the deadly attack on Yelwata community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.
He added that it was imperative for the defendant to be medically fit to stand trial.
Counsel to the third defendant, Ahmed Mohammad, confirmed the sudden deterioration of his client’s health, noting that although Abdullahi had arrived in court on his own, his condition worsened unexpectedly, leading to his collapse.
He appealed to the court to adjourn the case to allow his client receive urgent medical attention at a suitable hospital in Abuja.
The request for adjournment was not opposed by the prosecution or other defence counsel, including Ibrahim Angulu, SAN, who represented the first defendant.
In her ruling, Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the case until March 30 and 31 for continuation of trial and directed that hearing notices be served on all defendants
The suspects are standing trial on a 57-count amended charge bordering on alleged terrorism offences, to which they have all pleaded not guilty.
According to the charges, the defendants allegedly participated in meetings between May and June 2025 in Nasarawa State where plans were hatched for the attack on Yelwata community.
The prosecution further alleged that the coordinated assault, carried out on June 13, 2025, resulted in the destruction of homes, multiple injuries, and the death of about 150 people.
Among those standing trial are Ardo Lawal Mohammed Dono, Ardo Muhammadu Saidu, Alhaji Haruna Abdullahi, Yakubu Adamu, Alhaji Musa Mohammed, Abubakar Adamu, Shaibu Ibrahim, Sale Mohammed, and Bako Jibrin.
In one of the counts, the first defendant, Dono, is accused of instigating and directing others across several states, including Nasarawa, Kwara, and Taraba, to carry out the attack.
The offences are said to contravene provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, with severe penalties upon conviction.
The case continues to draw national attention as families of victims and concerned Nigerians await justice over one of the deadliest attacks in recent times.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
