The legal battle over the trial of suspects linked to the Angwan Rukuba killings has taken a new turn, with a Plateau State High Court in Jos set to rule on whether it has the jurisdiction to hear the case.
Justice Gedaliah Fwomyon fixed August 11, 2026, for a ruling on an application challenging the court’s authority to try four defendants accused of involvement in the attack. The court will also deliver a ruling on an application seeking the transfer of one of the defendants from Department of State Services custody to the Jos University Teaching Hospital for medical treatment.
At Wednesday’s proceedings, counsel to the first and second defendants, M. I. Shaba, SAN, argued that the case should be handled by the Federal High Court because the charges are terrorism-related.
Shaba cited the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, which he said places terrorism matters under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal High Court. However, the Plateau State Government opposed the application, with its counsel, Sabo Longji, arguing that the defendants were charged under the Plateau State Penal Code and not the terrorism law.
The court subsequently adjourned the matter for rulings on both applications.
The state government had charged Adamu Isa Alhassan, Isa Umar Ibrahim, Auwalu Abubakar, also known as Auwalu Dogo, Musa Abubakar Ibrahim, also known as Yaroro, and another suspect at large over their alleged involvement in the Palm Sunday attack on Angwan Rukuba in Jos North Local Government Area.
The attack claimed about 30 lives, with the defence and prosecution differing over whether the case falls under state or federal jurisdiction.
