Christiana Gokyo, Jos
The case involving five suspects arrested in connection with the Palm Sunday attack on the Angwan Rukuba community in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State has been taken to court.
The trial was adjourned to 30th April, 2026, for the defendants to take their plea.
In his ruling on Thursday at the Plateau State High Court, Jos, Justice J. D. Fomyil explained that the defendants could not take their plea because they were not represented by counsel.
It will be recalled that the Angwan Rukuba attack claimed 20 lives, while several others sustained varying degrees of injuries.
Speaking during the proceedings, the Solicitor General of Plateau State, Joel Takbal, urged the court in his application to allow the defendants to remain in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) to facilitate ongoing investigations.
He stated that the suspects were brought before the court to avoid any violation of their fundamental rights, particularly the right to freedom of expression and due process.
According to him, keeping them in DSS custody would ensure the smooth continuation of investigations.
Takbal further explained that the government had rushed the suspects to court for arraignment, stressing that security agencies were acting within legal bounds.
He noted that the attack occurred about two weeks ago, adding that the President had visited the state and issued a directive to security agencies to thoroughly investigate the incident.
Following this directive, the DSS swung into action and, with God’s help, arrested the five suspects currently before the court.
He added that the day’s proceedings were meant for the defendants to take their plea, but this could not proceed due to the absence of legal representation.
The matter was therefore adjourned to 30th April, 2026, to enable the defendants secure counsel of their choice.
Takbal also explained that in previous years, suspects were often transferred to Abuja for prosecution, but in this case, the proceedings are being handled in Plateau State.
He further commended the President, the Governor, and the DSS for their cooperation and support in ensuring the case is prosecuted within the state.
According to him, one of the suspects had earlier been arraigned separately before being joined with the other defendants in Court 9.
“Yes, one was arraigned separately before Court 12 because the offences, apart from those in Court 9, are also peculiar to him,” Takbal explained.
He disclosed that the fifth defendant is facing additional charges relating to offences allegedly committed between 2025 and 2026 around Riyom axis and Barkin Ladi in Jos South Local Government Area.
Takbal concluded that this was why the defendant was charged separately for those offences, while the current case before Court 9 relates specifically to the Angwan Rukuba attack.
