Court accepts rifle as evidence in Yelwata massacre case
The Federal High Court in Abuja has admitted an AK-47 rifle and several naira notes as evidence in the trial of suspects accused of carrying out the attack on Yelwata village. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik presided over the proceedings, where the prosecution presented key exhibits and testimony from a police officer. The suspects, including Ardo Lawal Mohammed Dono, Ardo Muhammadu Saidu, and others, pleaded not guilty to terrorism charges. The court also ordered a trial-within-trial to determine the admissibility of statements allegedly made by the defendants.
What we know
- The court admitted an AK-47 rifle as Exhibit A and several naira notes as Exhibits C1 to C5, based on identification by police witness Moses Paul.
- The Federal Government arraigned nine men on 57 counts of terrorism over their alleged involvement in the June 13, 2025 attack on Yelwata village, which reportedly claimed about 150 lives.
- Testimony revealed that some defendants allegedly planned and financed the attack, with meetings held in Nasarawa State and Yelwata chosen as the primary target.
- The prosecution said one defendant confessed to participating in the attack with his children, who remain at large, and claimed to have killed eight people.
- Defence lawyers objected to the admissibility of certain statements and a ballistic report, leading the court to order a trial-within-trial and adjourn proceedings to March 13.
