FIVE SUSPECTS FACE FRESH COURT HEARING OVER OYO SCHOOL ABDUCTION AND DEATHS

The Department of State Services is set to re-arraign five suspected members of the Ansaru group over their alleged involvement in the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. The suspects are also accused of involvement in the subsequent killing of two of the victims following the May 15 attack.

The defendants are expected to appear before the Federal High Court in Abuja on a six-count amended charge filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, on behalf of the Federal Government. The accused are Mahmud Muhammad, Abubakar Abbas, Abdulrazak Umar, Yunusa Musa and Shamsu Adamu Sani.

The re-arraignment was initially scheduled for Wednesday but could not proceed after the first defendant, Muhammad, objected to representation by a lawyer from the Legal Aid Council. Speaking on behalf of the defendants, he told the court that they had previously been represented by a lawyer identified as Bala Dakum and wanted him to continue handling their case.

Oyedepo acknowledged that the defendants had a constitutional right to choose their legal representation. He told the court that the DSS was interested in ensuring justice rather than persecuting the accused persons. Justice Salim Ibrahim subsequently adjourned the matter and directed the defendants to contact Dakum and ensure that he was present for the fresh proceedings.

The judge also directed the DSS to grant the suspects access to their lawyer so they could adequately prepare their defence. The case stems from the May 15 attack in Oriire, during which pupils and teachers were abducted, with two victims subsequently killed. The suspects remain accused persons, and the allegations against them are subject to determination by the court.