The trial of nine men accused of carrying out the deadly 13 June 2025 attack on Yelwata community in Benue State was postponed again on Wednesday at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The case is before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.
The hearing could not continue after a lawyer representing the 8th and 9th defendants, Y.A. Hassan, requested more time to study the case.
Hassan told the court it was his first appearance in the matter and that he had not yet reviewed the charges against his clients. He asked for a short adjournment to prepare properly.
The prosecution, led by Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), did not oppose the request. However, he suggested that the court could take the main testimony and allow cross-examination at the next sitting. He also asked the court to fix a short date.
When Hassan insisted he was not ready, Justice Abdulmalik cautioned him, saying, āBefore you take up a case, you are supposed to ask necessary questions so you donāt waste the time of the court.ā
She stressed that the case is of strong public interest and warned that the court would not allow unnecessary delays. The matter was adjourned to 9 and 10 March for continuation of the trial.
The suspects were first arraigned by the Federal Government on 2 February. They face a 57-count charge under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
According to earlier court testimony by CSP Moses Paul, an investigator with the Intelligence Response Unit of the Nigeria Police Force, more than 100 armed attackers stormed Yelwata community, killing about 150 people.
He told the court that investigations are still ongoing and that more suspects may be charged.
The nine defendants have pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The court ordered that they remain in custody at Kuje Correctional Centre pending the outcome of the trial.
Trial of nine suspects over Yelwata massacre postponed again
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