Court Sets July 20 Deadline for Terror Suspect's Plea Change

The Federal High Court in Abuja has given Abubakar Abba, a commander of the Al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist group Ansaru, until July 20 to decide whether to change his plea to guilty concerning terrorism-related charges. Abba is currently facing trial alongside Mahmud Usman and Isah Adam on various terrorism-related charges.

During a recent court session, Justice Emeka Nwite noted that Abba expressed his intent to withdraw his previous not guilty plea. However, his counsel, Husseina Tukur, informed the court that they were undecided about changing the plea.

The prosecution, represented by David Kasw, opposed further adjournment, arguing that the trial should proceed. Justice Nwite allowed for the first-time formal record of Abba's intent to change his plea and subsequently adjourned the matter until July 20.

Abba was arrested during a separate operation by the DSS in July 2025 and faces 32 counts, including terrorism, terrorism financing, kidnapping for ransom, and illegal mining to fund terrorism.