The trial of 11 eleven arrested suspects for the killing of ARISE News correspondent Somtochukwu Maduagwu and security guard Barnabas Danlami has stalled once again at the FCT High Court in Jabi.
The trial Court Judge Mohammed Idris on Wednesday told adjourned proceedings after lead prosecutor Adama Musa failed to show up, he was said to be engaged in another criminal case at a sister court in Apo.
This marks the second delay in three days—the first on Monday when Correctional Services failed to produce the defendants, claiming they were unaware of the trial date.
Justice Idris has now fixed April 21, 22, and 23 for continuation of trial, expressing hope that the prosecution will close its case by then and that judgment could be delivered before year’s end.
All eleven defendants, including Shamsu Hassan and ten others, pleaded not guilty to nine counts of conspiracy, robbery, and murder.
The charges stem from a violent armed robbery attack and on September 29, 2025, at Unique Apartments in Katampe Extension, Abuja, where Maduagwu and Danlami were killed. So far only two prosecution witnesses have testified.