Court Reserves Ruling on Jurisdiction in Angwan Rukuba Massacre Trial, Suspect Seeks Medical Transfer

A Plateau State High Court sitting in Jos has fixed August 11, 2026, to rule on a preliminary objection challenging its jurisdiction to try four suspects accused of involvement in the Angwan Rukuba massacre, as well as an application by one of the defendants seeking transfer for medical treatment.

The four suspects, who were arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) over their alleged roles in the deadly attack, are currently facing prosecution before the state high court.

At the resumed hearing on Wednesday, counsel to the first and second defendants, M.I. Shaba (SAN), argued that the court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the matter.

The senior advocate submitted that since the charges relate to alleged terrorism offences, the case ought to be heard by the Federal High Court in line with the provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

However, the prosecution, led by the Director of Civil Litigation at the Plateau State Ministry of Justice, Sabo Longji, opposed the application and filed a counter-affidavit.

Longji argued that the defendants were not being prosecuted under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act but under the Plateau State Penal Code, making the Plateau State High Court the appropriate forum to hear the case.

After listening to arguments from both parties, the trial judge, Justice Gedaliah Fwomyon, adjourned the matter until August 11, 2026, to deliver a ruling on the jurisdictional challenge.

The court also fixed the same date to rule on a separate application by one of the defendants seeking permission to be transferred for medical treatment at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) while remaining in DSS custody.

The defendants are asking the court to allow the medical transfer without altering their current custodial arrangement.

The case stems from the Palm Sunday attack in 2026, when armed assailants invaded Angwan Rukuba in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, killing about 30 people.

Following the attack, the DSS arrested Adamu Isa Alhassan, Isa Umar Ibrahim, Auwalu Abubakar (also known as Auwalu Dogo), and Musa Abubakar Ibrahim (also known as Yaroro).

The Plateau State Government subsequently arraigned the four suspects alongside Ado Ibrahim, who is currently at large, on charges bordering on terrorism-related offences.