The Federal High Court in Abuja has postponed the terrorism trial of Ansaru leaders Mahmud Usman and Abubakar Abba to November 19, following the absence of the Department of State Services (DSS) lawyer, Mohammed Abubakar. The case was originally scheduled for hearing on October 21, but Justice Emeka Nwite granted the adjournment after receiving a letter from the DSS counsel requesting more time to appear in court.

At the previous sitting, the court sentenced Mahmud Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a, to 15 years imprisonment for illegal mining — one of the 32 charges filed against him by the DSS. His co-defendant, Abubakar Abba, also known as Isah Adam or Mahmud Al-Nigeri, pleaded not guilty to all the terrorism-related offences.

The DSS accused the two of being senior commanders of the terrorist group Ansaru, and alleged that they engaged in acts of terrorism between 2015 and 2024. According to the prosecution, the accused persons were involved in bomb attacks, kidnapping, and illegal mining to finance terror operations. They were also said to have received training in weapon handling and explosive manufacturing in Sudan and Mali.

Investigations revealed that the suspects were allegedly responsible for the bombing of Wawa Military Cantonment in Niger State and the kidnapping of security officers, including a Customs and an Immigration officer. The DSS further claimed that ransom payments and proceeds from illegal mining were used to buy arms and ammunition for terrorist activities across Nigeria.

Justice Nwite ordered that both defendants remain in DSS custody in Abuja pending the continuation of their trial. The next hearing will now hold on November 19, when the prosecution is expected to continue presenting evidence against the accused Ansaru members.