A Federal High Court in Kano has ordered the remand of two men, Sani Mamman and Abubakar Umar, both residents of Katsina State, over allegations of aiding bandit activities.
The defendants were remanded after they were arraigned before Justice S.M. Shuaibu on charges bordering on allegedly supporting bandits terrorising parts of Katsina State, contrary to the Terrorism (Prevention) Act.
According to the prosecution, Mamman, a resident of Ruwan Godiya in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State, was allegedly engaged in March 2025 to transport suspected bandits to a forest in Faskari.
Prosecution counsel, Hadiza Yabani, told the court that Mamman had remained in custody since his arrest in March 2025.
The second defendant, Umar, a resident of Rimi Local Government Area, was arrested on December 2, 2024, for allegedly attempting to transport arms and ammunition to bandits.
The prosecution alleged that Mamman committed offences contrary to Section 13(a), (b) and (c) of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act, while Umar was charged under Section 13 of the same Act.
When the charges were read on Friday, both defendants pleaded not guilty.
Mamman told the court that he was not a driver as alleged but earned a living selling beans with a wheelbarrow. He added that his father was deceased and his mother resides in Funtua.
Umar, on his part, said he is a farmer and trader in perishable goods. He maintained that he was innocent and knew nothing about the offence for which he was charged.
Defence counsel, H.A. Kalmaten, informed the court that he had taken over the matter from I.I. Umar after consultations with the defendants.
Following their not guilty pleas, Justice Shuaibu adjourned the case until July 7 and 8, 2026, for the commencement of trial and ordered that both defendants be remanded in a correctional facility within the court’s jurisdiction pending further proceedings.