The Plateau State High Court sitting in Jos has granted four persons standing trial over the killings in Angwan Rukuba, Jos North local government area, leave to call five witnesses each in their defence.
The accused: Isa Umar Ibrahim, Auwalu Abubakar, also known as Auwalu Dogo, and Musa Abubakar Ibrahim, also known as Yaroro, are being prosecuted alongside one Ado Ibrahim, who is currently at large, over their alleged roles in the attack.
The accused persons were arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) following the deadly attack on Angwan Rukuba in Jos North local government area of Plateau State, on Palm Sunday in 2026 and claimed about 30 lives.
The state government charged them with criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, illegal possession of firearms and unlawful dealing in arms and ammunition.
Ruling during a case management conference, the trial judge, Justice Gedaliah Fwomyon, granted the defendants’ request to call five witnesses each.
The judge reiterated his commitment to an accelerated hearing, stating that two days would be dedicated to each defendant’s witnesses.
Justice Fwomyon further held that the prosecution had sufficiently addressed the issues raised in the case management information sheet and would rely on the evidence before the court.
He ruled that the defendants would be allowed to use interpreters, either provided by themselves or by the court, and could challenge the admissibility of their statements and call expert witnesses where necessary.
The court, however, directed that no party would be allowed to file fresh interlocutory applications, except those already filed and adopted, noting that such applications would be entertained only in exceptional circumstances.
The matter was adjourned to July 1 and 2, 2026, for the hearing of the substantive case, subject to the defendants not filing any challenge to the court’s jurisdiction.
The court also ordered that the defendants remain in the custody of the DSS pending the next adjourned date.
