Court Delays Arraignment of Angwan Rukuba Attack Suspects

The Plateau State High Court, presided over by Justice J.D. Fomyil, halted the arraignment of suspects connected to the deadly Angwan Rukuba attack due to the lack of legal representation for the defendants.

The attack, which occurred on March 29, 2026, resulted in the deaths of 30 individuals and left many injured, prompting federal intervention. The court was informed that the defendants had no legal counsel, leading Justice Fomyil to adjourn the proceedings to April 30, 2026, to ensure due process.

Joel Takbal, the Solicitor General of Plateau State, represented the prosecution and stated that proceeding without defense counsel would undermine the fairness of the trial. The suspects, who were arrested between April 3 and April 10 following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's directive for security agencies to identify and apprehend the perpetrators, remain in the custody of the DSS.

The prosecution has filed charges including criminal conspiracy, terrorism, culpable homicide, and illegal possession of firearms against the nine suspects.