The Federal High Court in Abuja has cautioned lawyers representing Mohammed Usman (popularly known as Khalid al-Barnawi) and four other suspected members of the terrorist group Ansaru over their repeated absence in court.

Justice Emeka Nwite, who presided over Tuesday’s proceedings, issued a final warning to the defendants and their legal teams, stressing that they must appear at the next hearings scheduled for September 5 and 12, 2025.

Al-Barnawi, a former Boko Haram commander who later led the Ansaru splinter group, is standing trial alongside Mohammed Bashir Saleh, Umar Mohammed Bello (a.k.a Datti), Mohammed Salisu, and Yakubu Nuhu (a.k.a Bello Maishayi). They are accused of belonging to Ansaru and conspiring to carry out terrorist attacks across Sokoto, Kebbi, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, and other northern states between 2011 and 2013.

Prosecuting counsel Dr. Alex Izinyon told the court that the day was meant to continue a trial-within-trial. However, al-Barnawi and his lawyer were absent, along with the counsel for two other defendants. Izinyon condemned the repeated absences, saying they were undermining efforts to conclude a case that has dragged on for over 13 years.

Justice Nwite described the conduct as disrespectful to the court and warned that no further delays would be tolerated.

The trial will continue on September 5 and 12 with the testimony of the third prosecution witness and presentation of video exhibits.

Al-Barnawi, who was once declared a global terrorist by the United States with a $5 million bounty on his head in 2012, is accused of leading Ansaru, a group linked to al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb. The group has been tied to the killing of Westerners and the 2012 attack on a maximum-security prison in Abuja, where dozens of inmates were freed.