The trial of Mahmud Usman and Abubakar Abba, the two alleged Ansaru commanders, did not begin on Wednesday at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Proceedings were halted after their lawyer, Bala Dakum, requested more time to receive the charges and review the proof of evidence.
Dakum told the court that both the charge sheet and supporting documents were still with the Department of State Services (DSS), where the defendants are being held on the court’s order.
He asked that the two men be moved to a correctional facility to allow easier access and ensure a smoother trial process.
David Kaswe, DSS counsel, opposed the request, arguing that the trial should proceed since witnesses were already present.
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Kaswe explained that DSS rules require defence lawyers to formally write to the agency copying its counsel before accessing detainees, and said Dakum had not followed this procedure.
He urged the court to direct the defence to comply with DSS protocol for future visits.
Justice Emeka Nwite, after considering both sides, ruled in favour of the defence in the interest of fair hearing.
He adjourned the matter to January 15, 2026, and directed Dakum to notify the DSS and copy the prosecution whenever he needs to visit his clients.
Earlier, on September 11, the same judge sentenced Usman (also known as Abu Bara’a/Abbas Mukhtar) to 15 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to one of the 32 terrorism-related counts illegal mining.
Usman and his deputy, Abba (also known as Isah Adam/Mahmud Al-Nigeri), were accused of mining minerals such as thunder and California stones between 2015 and 2025, contrary to Section 8(b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act.
While Usman admitted guilt to the illegal mining charge, Abba denied all allegations.
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Both men, senior figures in Ansaru, an Al-Qaeda-linked group, were arraigned on a 32-count terrorism charge filed on September 4 by the Director of Public Prosecutions on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation.
The charges include aiding and abetting terrorism between 2013 and 2015, leading the proscribed organisation Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimeena Fii Bilaadis Sudan, and receiving weapons and explosives training at terrorist camps.
They are also accused of receiving war tactics training from JNIM, a Mali-based terrorist group, and of participating in the 2022 attack on the Wawa Army Cantonment in Niger State, which resulted in mass casualties.
After both men pleaded not guilty, the court ordered their remand in DSS custody pending the trial.
