Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday cautioned lawyers representing Mohammed Usman, also known as Khalid al-Barnawi, and four other suspected members of the terrorist group Ansaru, over their failure to appear in court.
The judge issued a final warning to the defendants and their counsel, directing them to be present at the next sittings scheduled for September 5 and 12, 2025.
Al-Barnawi, a former Boko Haram commander who later led the Ansaru splinter group, is facing trial alongside Mohammed Bashir Saleh, Umar Mohammed Bello (a.k.a Datti), Mohammed Salisu, and Yakubu Nuhu (a.k.a Bello Maishayi).
They are accused of belonging to Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan (ANSARU) and conspiring to commit acts of terrorism in Sokoto, Kebbi, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, and other northern states between 2011 and 2013.
At Tuesday’s proceedings, prosecuting counsel Dr. Alex Izinyon informed the court that the session was slated for continuation of a trial-within-trial. He noted, however, that al-Barnawi and his lawyer were absent, as were the lawyers for two other defendants.
Izinyon expressed concern that the repeated absence of defence lawyers was undermining efforts to conclude the 13-year-long case, describing it as disrespectful to the court.
Justice Nwite, in his ruling, expressed displeasure, warning that the court would not condone further attempts by the defendants to delay proceedings.
He urged all parties to ensure full attendance at subsequent sittings.
The case was adjourned to September 5 and 12 for continuation of evidence from the third prosecution witness and the presentation of video exhibits.
The United States had in 2012 placed a $5 million bounty on al-Barnawi, designating him a global terrorist.
Ansaru, believed to be aligned with al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, has been linked to the killing of Westerners and a 2012 attack on a maximum-security prison in Abuja in which dozens of inmates were freed.
