The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned two individuals before separate Federal High Courts in Abuja on charges related to terrorism and incitement to overthrow the government.
The development comes just 48 hours after the DSS secured the conviction of Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) leader Hussaini Ismaila, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison for terrorism-related offences.
In the first case, Abdulmalik Abdulazeez Obadaki, alleged mastermind of the 2012 attack on Deeper Life Bible Church in Okene, Kogi State, was arraigned.
He faces a six-count charge including membership of a terrorist organisation, conspiracy, aiding acts of terrorism, concealment of information, participation in terrorist activities, and escape from lawful custody.
Obadaki pleaded guilty to the sixth count—escape from custody—but entered not guilty pleas on the remaining five charges.
Presiding Judge Justice Joyce Obehi adjourned the matter to January 26, 2026, to review the facts related to the count he admitted and to hear evidence on the counts he denied.
Also on Thursday, the DSS arraigned Innocent Chukwuemeka, a social media user accused of using his X (formerly Twitter) account to advocate for a coup in Nigeria.
He was charged with six counts, including publishing false information capable of causing public alarm and cyberstalking.
Chukwuemeka pleaded not guilty, and the court adjourned his case to January 26, 2026, ordering that he remain in DSS custody.
Background
Following the Okene church attack, Obadaki reportedly led a gang that raided five commercial banks in Uromi, Edo State, killing several people and stealing significant sums of money.
He was later arrested and detained at Kuje Prison but escaped during the July 2022 jailbreak at the Kuje Custodial Centre. Security sources revealed that Obadaki later admitted orchestrating the jailbreak following his transfer from Kabba Custodial Centre in June 2022.
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