Two suspected senior commanders of the Ansaru terrorist group, on Monday, pleaded guilty to 32 terrorism charges before the Federal High Court in Abuja after months of contesting the case.
The defendants, Mahmud Usman (also known as Abu Bara’a, Abbas and Mukhtar), identified by the prosecution as the self-styled Emir of Ansaru, and Abubakar Abba (also known as Mahmud al-Nigeri and Malam Mamuda), alleged to be the group’s deputy leader and chief of staff, dropped their earlier not-guilty plea to plead guilty on Monday before Judge Emeka Nwite.
Their lawyer, Bala Dakum, told the court that, after consulting with the defendants, his clients had decided to abandon their earlier pleas and admit the charges.
“After consultation with the defendants, my lord, they have agreed and are ready to change their plea. We apply that the charge be read to them accordingly,” Mr Dakum said.
The lawyer to the State Security Service (SSS), David Kaswe, did not oppose the application and urged the court to allow the 32 charges to be read again.
