At least 150 people were killed in the June 13, 2025 massacre in Yelwata....

The trial of nine men accused of carrying out a deadly attack on the Yelwata community in Benue State was adjourned for the second time on Wednesday at the Federal High Court in Abuja after a defence lawyer sought more time to study the case file.

The case, before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, was stalled after Y.A. Hassan, counsel to the eighth and ninth defendants, told the court it was his first appearance and that he had yet to familiarise himself with the charges.

“I have just been briefed on this matter and have not even seen the charges preferred against my clients,” he said, requesting a short adjournment.

Prosecutor Rotimi Oyedepo, did not oppose the request but suggested that evidence-in-chief could proceed, with cross-examination deferred. Hassan maintained he was not ready to proceed.

Justice Abdulmalik cautioned defence counsel against wasting the court’s time, noting that the matter was of significant public interest and warning that unnecessary delays would not be tolerated. She adjourned the case until March 9 and 10 for continuation of the trial.

The Federal Government had arraigned the nine defendants on Feb. 2 on a 57-count charge under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The accused — Ardo Lawal Mohammed Dono, Ardo Muhammadu Saidu, Alhaji Haruna Abdullahi, Yakubu Adamu, Alhaji Musa Mohammed, Abubakar Adamu, Shaibu Ibrahim, Sale Mohammed and Bako Jibrin — have pleaded not guilty and were remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre.

At a previous hearing on Feb. 26, the first prosecution witness, CSP Moses Paul of the Intelligence Response Unit of the Nigeria Police Force, told the court that more than 100 armed attackers carrying AK-47 rifles stormed Yelwata, killing about 150 residents.

Paul said investigations were ongoing and that more suspects would be charged.