Man, 33, confesses to aiding, abetting terrorism, enters plea bargain

A 33-year-old terror suspect, Adamu Babangida, on Monday, confessed before a Federal High Court, Ibadan division, to aiding and abetting terrorism.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Babangida had, upon arraignment in March, pleaded not guilty to seven counts of engaging in terrorism, unlawful transportation and possession of live ammunition.

NAN also reports that other charges preferred against the defendant included: aiding and abetting terrorism and obstructing security operatives from carrying out their lawful duties.

At the resumption of trial on Monday, the defendant had, through his counsel, Suraj Musa, said that he was guilty of the charges brought against him.

Musa said that the defendant was willing to enter into a plea bargain arrangement with the Ministry of Justice and Nigeria.

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Though the Prosecution, Aderonke Imama, accepted the plea bargain offer, she, however, insisted that the defence counsel must make the details of the offer known through an application.

Imama said that it might amount to wasting the precious time of the court if the details were not well spelt out.

Consequently, Justice Ekerete Akpan adjourned the suit till September 23 for the plea bargain and judgment.

NAN reports that the prosecution had earlier told the court that Babangida was arrested sometime in January 2023 when he was conveying a 20.76 MN special live ammunition and other sophisticated weapons, with the intention of equipping terrorists.

The prosecution stated that Babangida was resident at NNPC area, Jalingo, Taraba.

She added that the defendant was apprehended by military operatives in Akure, Ondo State, during a stop-and-check operation while transporting the sophisticated weapons with a Toyota bus, with registration number: ARS76XA.

The prosecutor said that the offences contravened the provisions of Sections 26(A), 4(B) 41(A), 43(1A) of the Terrorism, Prohibition and Prevention Act, 2022.