By Atlantic Reports

The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned until November 13 the review of facts in a terrorism-related case against Sumaiya Abubakar, who pleaded guilty to supporting members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

The adjournment followed an objection by defence counsel E.G. Itodo, who said he had not received documents needed to prepare the defence.

The court directed the prosecution to provide the necessary material before the next hearing.

Guilty Plea to Support Charge

The Federal Government filed two counts against Abubakar in case FHC/ABJ/CR/418/2026.

In the second count, the prosecution alleged that she knowingly supported ISWAP members by helping to keep arms and ammunition in the Shinge area of Lafia Local Government Area, Nasarawa State, sometime in 2024.

The prosecution cited Section 13 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. Abubakar pleaded guilty to that count.

She pleaded not guilty to the first count, which alleged that she possessed information about ISWAP activities but failed to disclose it to a law enforcement agency.

The court struck out that count following a prosecution application that the defence did not oppose. It was therefore withdrawn from the proceedings, rather than determined after a trial.

Defence Requests Documents

At Wednesday’s proceedings, prosecution counsel M.A. Oladunjoye, from the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, said a Department of State Services investigator was present to give evidence during the review of facts.

She indicated readiness to proceed, but Itodo objected over the outstanding documents.

The court consequently adjourned the matter. The supplied account did not report a conviction or sentence on the count to which Abubakar pleaded guilty.

It also identified the presiding judge inconsistently, referring initially to Justice Mohammed Umar and later to Justice Ibrahim. That discrepancy requires clarification before the ruling is attributed to a named judge.

The next hearing is scheduled to examine the facts supporting the remaining charge, with the prosecution required to supply the defence documents beforehand.

Atlantic Reports: Voices. People. Facts.