The two suspected Ansaru senior commanders, facing terrorism offences at the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday changed their minds to plead guilty to the 32-count charge after months of trial.
They are Mahmud Usman, a.k.a Abu Bara’a/Abbas/Mukhtar, the self-styled Emir of Ansaru; and Abubakar Abba, a.k.a Mahmud al-Nigeri/Malam Mamuda, who is the deputy and chief of staff to Bara’a.
The defendants pleaded guilty before Justice Emeka Nwite shortly after their lawyer, Bala Dakum, informed the court that the duo, after consultation, had decided to change their plea.
“After having consultation with the defendants my lord, they have agreed and are ready to change their plea and we apply that the charge be ready to them accordingly,” he said.
The Department of State Services (DSS)’ lawyer, David Kaswe, did not oppose the application by Dakum for the 32 counts to be read to the defendants again for them to take their plea.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the two terror commnaders were arraigned on Sept. 11, 2025 by the Department of State Services (DSS) after they were arredted.
Though the duo pleaded not guilty to the counts, only Usman pleaded guilty to count 10 of the 32 counts which bordered on illegal mining for funding terrorism/arms and was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment.
Usman, however, pleaded not guilty to the remaining 31 counts while Abba pleaded not guilty to all charges.