Federal High Court Remands Two Katsina Men Over Alleged Support for Bandits

Two residents of Katsina State have been remanded in custody after appearing before a Federal High Court in Kano over allegations of providing support to suspected bandits in violation of Nigeria’s terrorism laws.

The defendants, Sani Mamman and Abubakar Umar, were arraigned on charges brought under the Terrorism Prevention Act. Both men denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty before the court.

According to the prosecution, Mamman, who is from Ruwan Godiya in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State, was allegedly recruited in March 2025 to transport suspected bandits to a forest in Faskari. Prosecutors argued that his actions contravened Section 13(a), (b) and (c) of the Terrorism Prevention Act.

Responding to the charge, Mamman told the court he was not a driver as alleged by the prosecution. Instead, he said he made a living selling beans with a wheelbarrow. He also informed the court that his father was deceased and that his mother lives in Funtua.

Prosecuting counsel, Hadiza Adamu Yabani, told the court that Mamman had remained in custody since his arrest in March 2025.

The second defendant, Abubakar Umar, who hails from Rimi Local Government Area of Katsina State, was accused of attempting to transport arms and ammunition to suspected bandits following his arrest on December 2, 2024. Prosecutors said the alleged offence also violated Section 13 of the Terrorism Prevention Act.

Umar denied the charge, maintaining that he had no involvement in the alleged crime. He told the court that before his arrest, he earned his livelihood through farming and the sale of perishable goods.

Defence counsel, H.A. Kalmaten, informed the court that he had assumed responsibility for the case after taking over from I.I. Umar following consultations with both defendants.

Presiding Judge, Justice S.M. Shuaibu, adjourned the matter until July 7 and 8, 2026, for the commencement of trial. The court also ordered that both defendants remain in a correctional facility within the court’s jurisdiction pending the hearing of the case.