The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed Nov. 13 for review of facts in case against woman, Sumaiya Abubakar, who pleaded guilty to rendering support to members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Nasarawa State.
Justice Mohammed Umar adjourned the matter on Wednesday to allow the prosecution served the defendant’s lawyer, E.G. Itodo, with necessary documents in their defence.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Federal Government had filed a two-count charge against Sumaiya, the sole defendant in the case.
Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/418/2026, accused the defendant of terrorism-related offences.
In count two where she pleaded guilty, Sumaiya who hails from Shuwari village, Kukawa Local Government Area (LGA) of Borno, was alleged to have committed the offence, sometime in 2024, at Shinge area, Lafiya LGA of Nasarawa State.
She was alleged to have knowingly rendered support to members of the ISWAP by helping to keep arms and ammunition.
The offence, the prosecution said, is contrary to and punishable under Section 13 of Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
She, however, pleaded not guilty to count one which bordered on having information about ISWAP activities, a proscribed terrorist organisation, but failed to disclose this to any law enforcement agency.
The court struck out count one from the charge after the prosecution made the application which was not oppose by the defence lawyer.
Justice Ibrahim then fixed today for a review of facts.
When the case was called on Wednesday,
M. A. Oladunjoye, from the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, informed the court that the matter was for review of facts, following Sumaiya’s plea of guilty to count two.
She said their witness, an investigator with the Department of State Services (DSS), was in court to give evidence in the review of facts.
Oladunjoye said she was ready to proceed with the hearing.
But Itodo raised an objection to hearing of the case on the ground that he was yet to be served with necessary documents to aid in their defence.
Justice Ibrahim subsequently adjourned the matter until Nov. 13 for review of facts.
The judge also ordered the prosecution to ensure that all necessary documents are made available to the defence to before the next adjourned date.
