Benue court delays Yelwata trial as pathology report is awaited
Three to four sentences introducing the situation. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik presided over the stalled proceedings in the trial of nine suspects accused of involvement in the June 13, 2025 Yelwata attack. The absence of legal representation for the 7th and 8th defendants led to delays, with senior lawyer Ibrahim Angulu, SAN directed to continue representing them. The court is still waiting for the pathology report from a federal team that visited Yelwata for forensic examination. Residents confirmed that bodies were exhumed from mass graves as part of the investigation.
What happened
- The trial of nine suspects over the June 13, 2025 Yelwata attack was stalled at the Federal High Court, Abuja, due to lack of legal representation for two defendants.
- Justice Joyce Abdulmalik declined the application of Ibrahim Angulu, SAN to withdraw from representing the 7th and 8th defendants, ordering him to continue.
- The court adjourned the matter till March 4 for continuation of trial and hearing of pending applications.
- A federal team of pathologists visited Yelwata for forensic examination, but their report is yet to be released to the Benue State Government.
- Residents reported that corpses were exhumed from mass graves in Yelwata during the forensic team's visit on February 23.
