The Federal Capital Territory High Court has commenced the trial of eleven individuals charged with the murder of Somtochukwu Maduagwu, an ARISE News journalist. The court proceedings began on Tuesday in Abuja after significant anticipation surrounding the case.
The accused, who have been held at Kuje Correctional Centre, were brought to court by the Nigerian Correctional Service officials after delays prevented their earlier attendance.
The group, led by Shamsu Hassan, faces a total of nine counts involving charges of conspiracy, armed robbery, and murder, to which they all entered pleas of not guilty.
During the trial's opening, the prosecution presented two witnesses for their testimony. These individuals, both previous residents of the Unique Apartment complex where the incident took place, testified under protective measures, obscuring their identities through the use of nose masks and sunglasses.
In their accounts, civil engineer Sani Yusuf and Fatou Toborteh detailed an incident from the early hours of September 29, when masked armed assailants invaded their apartments. The intruders began their attack around 2:30 am, forcefully entering multiple residences within the building.
The witnesses stated that the attackers, who shouted “Area”, wielded firearms and machetes, stealing various valuables including mobile phones, laptops, cash, and a Honda CR-V vehicle owned by Toborteh, who was asleep in her apartment with her four children and an aunt at the time.
Following the robbery, it was discovered that Somtochukwu Maduagwu was found unresponsive within the apartment complex. Concurrently, distress calls reported that Barnabas Danlami, the security guard, had sustained gunshot wounds.
Both victims were subsequently transported to Maitama District Hospital, where they were pronounced dead.
After hearing this testimony, Justice Mohammed Idris, the presiding judge, adjourned the case until Thursday, February 12, to allow the trial to proceed.
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