Kidnappers of UNIABUJA lecturers to be arraigned May 13

A Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled May 13 for the arraignment of four suspects arrested in connection with the abduction of the University of Abuja lecturers and their children in 2021.

Gunmen, on November 2, 2021, invaded the Senior Staff Quarters of the University of Abuja at the Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and abducted no fewer than six lecturers.

The gunmen numbering over 20 were said to have shot their way into the compound and whisked away their victims.

The kidnapped victims were Bassey Ubom (including his son and daughter), Prof Joseph Adavani; Dr Ferguson Tobins; Mohammed Sambo; Offiong Ubom; John Obansa and Fidelis Obansa

The kidnappers’ arraignment, which was slated for Monday, could not hold because the court was on vacation.

The matter, which is before Justice Donatus Okorowo, was adjourned till May 13.

The defendants in the matter are Adamu Abubakar; Nura Muhammed Ahmadu; Ismailia Abubakar and Abdulrahman Ado, also known as Yellow.

The Federal Government, through the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, preferred two charges of terrorism against the defendants.

The defendants and others at large were accused of conspiring among themselves to take Profe Joseph Adavani; Dr Ferguson Tobins; Mohammed Sambo; Offiong Ubom; John Obansa and Fidelis Obansa from their homes at the University of Abuja Staff Quarters, Giri, Gwagwalada Area Council, Abuja and took them into captivity in the coercive environment of the forest for three days and demanded ransom of N300m for their release.

They were said to have committed an offence contrary to Section 17 of the Terrorism (Prevention)(Amendment) Act 2013.

The other count read, “That you Adamu Abubakar, male, adult of Adamu Fulani House, behind Abattoir, Gwagwalada Area Council, FCT, Abuja; Nura Muhammed Ahmadu, male, adult of No. 3 Alhaji Rabiu Shop, Minna Main Market, Minna, Niger State; Ismailia Abubakar, male, adult of Adavi Village, Obajana LGA, Kogi State; Abdulrahman Ado (a.k.a YELLOW), male, adult of Dikko, along Kaduna Road, and others now at large on or about November 2, 2021, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court knowingly took hostage of Professor Joseph Sumaila Adavani; Dr Ferguson Tobins; Mohammed Sambo; Offiong Bassey Ubom; John Obansa and Fidelis Obansa from their homes at the University of Abuja Staff Quarters, Giri, Gwagwalada Area Council, Abuja and took them into captivity in the coercive environment of the forest for three days and demanded a ransom of N300m for their release.

“You thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15 of the Terrorism (Prevention)(Amendment) Act 2013.”