From Victor Osula, Abuja
The Department of State Services (DSS), on Thursday, arraigned two separate suspects before the Federal High Court in Abuja as part of intensified efforts to tackle terrorism and clamp down on incitement across the country.
Two days after securing the conviction and 20-year imprisonment of Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) commander, Hussaini Ismaila, the DSS presented before the court the alleged mastermind of the 2012 attack on the Deeper Life Bible Church in Okene, Kogi State, Abdulmalik Abdulazeez Obadaki.
Obadaki is facing a six-count charge bordering on membership of a terrorist group, conspiracy, rendering assistance to acts of terrorism, concealment of information, and escape from lawful custody. He pleaded guilty only to the count relating to his escape from custody but denied involvement in the other five charges.
Presiding judge, Justice Joyce Obehi Abdulmalik, adjourned the case to January 26, 2026, to review the facts concerning the count he admitted to and to commence trial on the remaining charges. The court ordered that he be remanded in DSS custody pending the next hearing.
Security sources recall that after the 2012 church attack, Obadaki allegedly led a gang that raided five commercial banks in Uromi, Edo State, killing several persons and carting away large sums of cash. He was arrested and detained at the Kuje Custodial Centre but escaped during the July 2022 jailbreak, which investigators say he has since confessed to orchestrating.
In a separate case, the DSS also arraigned social media user Innocent Chukwuemeka for allegedly using his X account to promote the idea of a military coup in Nigeria.
Chukwuemeka faces a six-count charge bordering on publishing false information to cause public alarm and cyberstalking. He pleaded not guilty.
Justice Abdulmalik similarly adjourned his case to January 26, 2026, and ordered that he remain in DSS custody until the next hearing date
