In a major move toward judicial accountability, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), appeared in person at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, February 2, 2026, to lead the prosecution of nine suspects linked to the June 2025 Yelwata massacre.
The defendants are accused of masterminding a coordinated attack on the Yelwata community in Benue State on June 13, 2025, an assault that resulted in the deaths of approximately 150 residents and the destruction of hundreds of homes. The government has filed a comprehensive 57-count amended charge against the suspects, bordering on terrorism, conspiracy, and financing of illegal militia activities.
During the proceedings before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, the AGF requested an accelerated hearing to demonstrate the government’s commitment to justice for the victims. “Given the gravity of this case, we are prepared to present eight witnesses to establish the roles played by these individuals in the planning and execution of this tragedy,” Fagbemi told the court.
The ringleader of the group, identified as Ardo Lawal Mohammed Dono, is specifically alleged to have mobilized fighters and raised funds across several states, including Nasarawa, Kwara, and Taraba, to facilitate the raid. All nine defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges through an interpreter.
Justice Abdulmalik denied oral bail applications from the defense, ordering that the suspects remain in custody at the Kuje Correctional Centre. The trial has been adjourned to February 26 and 27, 2026, for the commencement of full evidence presentation.
For the Nigerian diaspora and the people of the Middle Belt, this high-profile trial is seen as a litmus test for the Tinubu administration’s ability to tackle rural insecurity. The AGF’s personal presence in the courtroom signals a departure from past trends and underscores a renewed federal focus on prosecuting those behind the persistent cycles of violence in the region.
