Court Gives Al-Qaeda-affiliated Terrorist Group Commander Arrested by DSS July 20 Deadline to Change Plea

…Ansaru commander Abubakar Abba tells court he is undecided on plea deal

The Federal High Court, Abuja has given Abubakar Abba, a suspected commander of Ansaru, an Al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist group, until July 20, 2026 to decide whether to change his plea in an ongoing terrorism trial.

Abba, also known as Abu Bara’a, is standing trial alongside Mahmud Usman, aka Isah Adam/Mahmud Al-Nigeri, before Justice Emeka Nwite* on 32 terrorism-related counts.

Dramatic turn in court

The matter came up Thursday for continuation of hearing but took a dramatic turn when Abba, through his counsel Husseina Tukur, informed the court of his intention to withdraw his earlier “not guilty” plea.

After conferring with his lawyer, however, Abba told the court he was still undecided on whether to change his plea or maintain it.

Prosecuting counsel Mr. David Kaswe opposed any further adjournment, noting the defendant had made a similar request at the last sitting. He urged the court to proceed with trial if Abba failed to make up his mind.

—Judge grants deadline—

In a short ruling, Justice Nwite said it was the first time the intention to change plea was formally placed on record, and the defendant should be given a chance to decide.

“The issue was for the first time being officially raised on record,” the judge held, before adjourning the case to July 20 for Abba to enter a new plea or for continuation of hearing.

—The charges–
The Department of State Services, DSS, arrested the two defendants in separate operations between May and July 2025.

They are facing a 32-count charge bordering on terrorism, terrorism financing, kidnapping for ransom, illegal mining, funding terrorism, and fabricating Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs. Prosecutors also allege they coordinated sleeper cells and attacks, and maintained ties with groups in the Sahel/Maghreb region.

On arraignment, Usman pleaded guilty to one count of illegal mining for funding terrorism/arms and was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment. He pleaded not guilty to the remaining 31 counts.

Abba pleaded not guilty to all 32 counts.

The July 20 date will now determine whether the Ansaru commander opts for a plea bargain or proceeds to full trial.