A Plateau State High Court sitting in Jos on Tuesday granted leave to four persons standing trial over the deadly Angwa Rukuba attacks to each call five defence witnesses.
The suspects are facing prosecution over the Palm Sunday 2026 attack on Angwa Rukuba in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, where about 30 persons were reportedly killed by gunmen.
Following the incident, the Department of State Services arrested Isa Umar Ibrahim, Auwalu Abubakar, also known as Auwalu Dogo, and Musa Abubakar Ibrahim, also known as Yaroro.
The Plateau State Government subsequently charged the three suspects alongside one Ado Ibrahim, who is currently at large, with criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, illegal possession of firearms, and unlawful dealing in arms and ammunition.
Ruling during a case management conference, Justice Gedaliah Fwomyon granted the request by the defendants to produce five witnesses each in their defence.
The judge also reiterated the court’s commitment to accelerated hearing of the case, stating that two full days would be dedicated to the testimonies of each defendant’s witnesses.
Justice Fwomyon further ruled that the prosecution had sufficiently answered the questions contained in the case management information sheet and would rely on the statements of evidence already before the court, including those of the defendants and their witnesses.
The court also ruled that the defendants would be allowed to make use of interpreters either provided by themselves or by the court.
In addition, the defendants were granted the right to challenge the admissibility of their statements and to invite expert witnesses during the trial.
However, the judge held that no party would be permitted to raise fresh interlocutory applications in the matter except those already filed and adopted before the court, noting that such applications would only be entertained under exceptional circumstances.
The matter was adjourned to July 1 and 2, 2026, for hearing of the substantive case, provided the defendants do not challenge the jurisdiction of the court.
The court further ordered that the suspects remain in the custody of the DSS pending the next adjourned date.
Recall that Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently approved a ₦2 billion relief package for victims of the Angwa Rukuba attacks and pledged that those responsible for the killings would be brought to justice.
The Plateau State chapter of the Intellectual Muslims Forum has distributed bags of rice to Muslim communities across the 17 Local Government Areas of the state as part of efforts to support residents ahead of the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.
The distribution exercise was carried out under the palliative initiative of Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, which involves the distribution of 100 trucks of rice and N1.2 billion worth of palliatives to states across Northern Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Speaking during the distribution, representatives of the forum said the gesture was aimed at easing the economic burden on vulnerable families and enabling Muslim faithful to celebrate the forthcoming Eid-el-Kabir festival with relief and joy.
Beneficiaries drawn from various communities across Plateau State expressed appreciation for the intervention, describing it as timely in view of the current economic realities.
The forum reaffirmed its commitment to supporting humanitarian initiatives and promoting the welfare of Muslim communities across the state.
There was excitement, joy, and celebration as Little Miss Bassa emerged winner of the prestigious Little Miss Plateau Pageant, Miss Morina Jathniel Emmanuel outperforming contestants representing various local government areas across Plateau State.
The grand finale, held at the Sarau Event Center, attracted families, supporters, pageant organizers, and dignitaries who gathered to witness the colourful event and celebrate the achievements of the young contestants.
The pageant went beyond beauty, showcasing intelligence, confidence, creativity, leadership potential, and cultural heritage. Contestants impressed the audience with remarkable performances, elegance, and strong representation of the traditions and values of their respective communities.
The event featured vibrant cultural displays, music, and entertaining performances that reflected the rich heritage and diversity of Plateau State, creating a memorable atmosphere throughout the occasion.
Organizers described the Little Miss Plateau Pageant as more than a competition, emphasizing its role as a platform dedicated to nurturing young girls into confident, responsible, and culturally aware ambassadors. According to them, the initiative continues to promote values such as education, leadership, self-confidence, unity, and personal development among children from different backgrounds.
The emergence of Little Miss Bassa as the overall winner was greeted with loud applause and excitement from supporters, marking a proud and historic moment for the Bassa community.
Her exceptional performance, confidence, and outstanding display throughout the competition earned her admiration from judges and guests, ultimately securing her the coveted crown.
