Oyo Abduction: DSS to Re-Arraign Suspects Thursday

The Department of State Services will on Thursday, September 17, re-arraign five men accused of involvement in the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

The suspects are also facing allegations over the subsequent killing of two of the victims and are expected to be arraigned on an amended six-count charge before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The re-arraignment was earlier scheduled for Wednesday but was postponed after the defendants insisted on being represented by lawyers of their choice.

The five suspects are identified as Mahmud Muhammad, also known as Abu Bara’a and Abbas Mukhtar; Abubakar Abbas, also known as Isah Adam and Mallam Mahmuda Al-Nigeri; Abdulrazak Umar, also known as Abu Khalifa and Abu Khalid; Yunusa Musa, also known as Abu Yunusa Bin Musa; and Shamsu Adamu Sani, also known as Abu Itisar.

The Federal Government alleges that the defendants are members of Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan, commonly known as Ansaru.

At the Wednesday proceedings, a Deputy Director at the Legal Aid Council, Barrister Akilaluyel Shettima, announced his appearance for the accused persons.

However, Muhammad, the first defendant, objected to the arrangement, saying they had previously been represented by a lawyer identified as Bala Dakum and wanted him to continue handling the case.

The Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, reportedly acknowledged the defendants’ constitutional right to choose their legal representation.

Justice Salim Ibrahim subsequently adjourned the matter until Thursday for the re-arraignment.

The judge also directed the DSS to allow the suspects access to their lawyer to enable them prepare for their defence.

The case stems from the May 15 abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire, which triggered a major security operation involving several agencies.

The victims were later rescued after spending 56 days in captivity, while several suspects were arrested during operations targeting the network allegedly responsible for the abduction.