The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja Thursday gave suspected commander of Ansaru, an Al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist group, Abubakar Abba, till July 20 to decide on whether or not to plead guilty to the terrorism-related charges against him.
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Abubakar Abba, a.k.a. Abu Bara’i is standing trial alongside Mahmud Usman a.k.a. Isah Adam/Mahmud Al-Nigeri on various terrorism- related charges before Justice Emeka Nwite.
The matter, which was fixed for continuation of hearing, Thursday, took a dramatic turn when Abba informed the court of his intention to withdraw his earlier ‘not guilty’ plea.
However, after conferring with his counsel, Husseina Tukur, Abba told the court that he was still undecided on whether to change his plea or retain the earlier one.
The prosecuting counsel, Mr David Kaswe, opposed any further adjournment, arguing that the defendant had made a similar request at the last sitting.
He urged the court to proceed with the trial should the defendant fail to make up his mind.
In a short ruling, Justice Nwite held that it was the first time the defendant’s intention to change his plea was formally brought before the court.