A High Court of Plateau state, Tuesday, ruled that state High Courts have the jurisdiction to try persons accused of terrorism and terrorism-related charges under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act (TPPA) 2022,
The ruling could significantly alter Nigeria’s war on terrorism, especially the trial of terrorism suspects hitherto believed to be the exclusive responsibility of Federal High Courts.
Ruling on an motion on jurisdiction by four suspects arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) for allegedly partaking in the Easter 2026 Angwa Rukuba massacre in the state, Justice Gedeliah Fwomyon of the State High Court, said the TPPA did not forbid High Courts from trying terrorism suspects.
The judge also held that there was nothing in the constitution barring state Houses of Assembly from legislating on terrorism, saying the issue is not on the exclusive legislative list.
In the wake of the massacre, the DSS arrested the quartet of Isa Umar Ibrahim, Adamu Isa Alhassan, Auwalu Abubakar aka Auwalu Dogo, and Musa Abubakar Ibrahim aka Yaroro. Thereafter, the state government filed terrorism charges against the men.
However, in the course of trial, counsel to the defendants raised objections on the issue of jurisdiction, arguing that, under the TPPA, a state High Court lacked the jurisdiction to try the accused persons. They argued that, since the charges against the men are terrorism, the state high court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the matter.