The Nigerian government filed six separate cases, charging the nine defendants in pairs and singly with acts of terrorism, including attacks and killings in Benue State, and other sundry offences such as illegal possession of firearms.
The federal government, on Wednesday, arraigned nine terrorism suspects arrested in connection with recent major attacks and killings in Benue State.
The suspects, arraigned before trial judge Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja, were linked to the 13 June attack in Yelwata in Guma Local Government Area of the state.
One of the accused pleaded guilty to two charges, while the rest denied all counts preferred against them.
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Timnan Manjo, 46, from Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, pleaded guilty to Count 1 which accused him of buying and selling between July and August two locally fabricated AK-47 rifles for N3 million.
He also pleaded guilty to Count 3 which accused of buying three long-range revolver rifles at the rate of N60,000 per one, from one Chomo, for resale.
The authorities accused of carrying out these arms transactions without a licence.
But he denied the two other charges, including Count 2 which alleged that he was found to be in unlawful possession of a locally fabricated AK-47 rifle on 9 August in Barkin Ladi LGA, Plateau State.
He also denied Count 4, which accused him of buying two locally fabricated AK-47 rifles from one Vom and reselling them "to an undisclosed Reverend" at the rate of N400,000. He allegedly committed the offence in January 2025.
But the rest of the other eight defendants denied all charges, pleading not guilty to all counts.
All the defendants have been in the custody of the State Security Service (SSS) since their arrest at various locations.
On 28 August, the Nigerian government charged the nine persons in connection with the deadly attacks in Benue State.
Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF) Muhammad Abubakar filed the six separate cases charging the nine defendants in pairs and singly with acts of terrorism, including attacks and killings in Benue State, and other sundry offences such as illegal possession of firearms.
The charges also include planning and being part of preparation for acts of terrorism, carrying out reprisals and illegal buying and selling of firearms.
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