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A Plateau State High Court sitting in Jos has granted four suspects standing trial over the 2026 Angwa Rukuba killings permission to call five witnesses each in their defence.
The suspects are being prosecuted in connection with the Palm Sunday attack on Angwa Rukuba community in Jos North Local Government Area, where about 30 people were reportedly killed.
Those standing trial include Isa Umar Ibrahim, Auwalu Abubakar, popularly known as Auwalu Dogo, Musa Abubakar Ibrahim, also known as Yaroro, and Ado Ibrahim, who is currently at large.
The accused persons are facing charges filed by the Plateau State Government bordering on criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, illegal possession of firearms, and unlawful dealing in arms and ammunition.
During the case management conference, Justice Gedaliah Fwomyon approved the request by defence counsel for each defendant to present five witnesses during trial.
The judge stated that the court was committed to ensuring speedy hearing of the matter and disclosed that two full days would be allocated for testimonies of defence witnesses.
Justice Fwomyon also ruled that the prosecution had adequately responded to issues raised in the case management information sheet and would rely on statements already before the court.
The court further held that the defendants could make use of interpreters either provided by the court or sourced by their legal representatives.
The accused persons were equally granted leave to challenge the admissibility of statements tendered before the court and to call expert witnesses where necessary.
However, the court barred parties from filing fresh interlocutory applications except under exceptional circumstances.
The matter was adjourned to July 1 and 2, 2026, for commencement of substantive hearing, provided there is no challenge to the jurisdiction of the court.
Justice Fwomyon also ordered that the suspects remain in the custody of the Department of State Services pending the next hearing date.
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