The trial of 11 defendants accused of causing the death of ARISE News anchor Somtochukwu Maduagwu was stalled on Monday at the High Court sitting in Jabi, Abuja, after the defendants were not produced in court.
Although their legal representatives were present, the defendants were absent at the resumed hearing. Prosecution counsel Adama Musa told the court that officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service said they were not aware of the hearing date.
Musa informed the court that the prosecution had four witnesses present and ready to testify, adding that significant efforts had been made to ensure their attendance.
“On the part of the prosecution, we are in court with four witnesses whom we went the extra mile to ensure are present; they abandoned their offices and are in court today,” he said.
Presiding judge Mohammed Idris adjourned the matter to Tuesday, February 10, and directed that a formal hearing notice be issued to the Nigerian Correctional Service to guarantee the defendants’ appearance at the next sitting.
The defendants were arraigned on January 21 on a nine-count charge bordering on conspiracy, armed robbery and culpable homicide punishable by death. They pleaded not guilty to the charges. The court had earlier fixed February 9, 10 and 12 for trial.
Those charged are Shamsu Hassan, Sani Surajo, Hassan Isah, Abubakar Alkamu, Abdulsalam Saleh, Suleiman Badamosi, Zaradeen Mohammed, Musa Umar, Mashikur Jamil, Suleiman Sani and Abubakar Usman.
According to the prosecution, the defendants allegedly carried out an armed robbery at Unique Apartments, Katampe Extension, Abuja, on September 29, 2025. They were accused of breaking into the premises while armed with firearms, machetes, knives and charms.
The prosecution alleged that Maduagwu was forced to jump from a three-storey building during the incident, sustaining injuries that later led to her death. A security guard, Barnabas Danlami, was also allegedly shot during the robbery and later died from his injuries.
The defendants were further accused of robbing several residents of the apartment complex of cash, mobile phones, laptops and a vehicle. It was also alleged that they were arrested between September 29 and October 20, 2025, and found in possession of a pump-action gun and a locally fabricated AK-47 rifle without licences.
The alleged offences were said to contravene Sections 6(a)(b)(c) and 1(2)(a) of the Robbery and Firearms Act, 1997, and Section 221 of the Penal Code.
Counsel for both the prosecution and the defence declined to comment to journalists after the court session.
