Court Allows Terror Defendants' Judicial Statements; Trial Set for January 22

Table of Contents

1. Admission of Statements
2. Defendants' Accusations
3. Trial History
4. Allegations of Coercion
5. Prosecution's Arguments
6. Defense Testimonies
7. Court Ruling
8. Next Hearing

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Friday, accepted the extra-judicial statements made by three accused terrorists to the Department of State Services (DSS) regarding the terrorism charges against them, stating that the defendants were not under duress.

The defendants are on trial for allegedly spying on the interests of the US and Israel on behalf of individuals in Iran.

Haruna Ali Abbas, Ibrahim Hussaini Musa, and Adam Sulaiman have been accused of espionage concerning the interests of the US and Israel for individuals based in Iran.

This case has been ongoing since 2014 and has been reassigned multiple times. It reached a critical point in August 2025 during a trial-within-a-trial to ascertain whether the defendants’ alleged extra-judicial statements were made voluntarily or under duress.

The defendants contended that they were coerced, harassed, and intimidated into making their statements, while the prosecution asserted that the statements were made voluntarily and in a conducive environment.

The prosecution argued that the accused reviewed their statements, acknowledged the cautionary advice provided, and signed them, thus warranting their admission as evidence.

Justice Nwite, who ordered the trial-within-a-trial, permitted both parties to present witnesses who provided testimony.

The prosecution, which called three witnesses, stated that they conducted their operations following the highest standard procedures, ensuring the welfare of the suspects in their custody with respect to food and medical care, while also allowing them access to their families.

Conversely, the defendants recounted their alleged torture at the DSS facility, claiming they were beaten and subjected to inhumane treatment.

After reviewing the arguments from both the prosecution and defense counsel, Justice Nwite ruled on Friday that the defendants’ statements would be accepted as evidence.

The Judge determined that the prosecution, through its witnesses, successfully demonstrated to the court that the statements were not made under coercion.

After admitting the statements as exhibits, Justice Nwite adjourned the case to January 22, 2026, for a substantive hearing.