Two suspected senior commanders of the Ansaru terrorist group reversed their earlier not-guilty pleas on Monday, July 20, before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja, admitting to all 32 counts of terrorism-related charges. The defendants, Mahmud Usman (also known as Abu Bara'a, Abbas, and Mukhtar) and Abubakar Abba (also known as Mahmud al-Nigeri and Malam Mamuda), initially pleaded not guilty at their arraignment in September 2025.
Change of Plea in Court
Defence counsel Bala Dakum informed the court that his clients had resolved to withdraw their earlier pleas. "After consultation with the defendants, my lord, they have agreed and are ready to change their plea. We apply that the charge be read to them accordingly," he said. The Department of State Services (DSS) lawyer, David Kaswe, raised no objection and requested the court to allow the 32-count charge to be read afresh. Justice Nwite granted the application, after which both men pleaded guilty to every count.
Details of the Charges
The DSS arraigned the two suspects on September 11, 2025, on 32 counts including terrorism, terrorism financing, kidnapping for ransom, illegal mining, funding terrorist activities, and manufacturing improvised explosive devices. Prosecutors also alleged that the pair coordinated sleeper cells, directed attacks, and maintained ties with Al-Qaeda-linked groups active across the Sahel and Maghreb regions. At the initial arraignment, Usman pleaded guilty to one count of illegal mining used to fund terrorism and was sentenced to 15 years in prison, but he entered a not-guilty plea on the remaining 31 counts. Abba denied all 32 charges at that stage.
Delays and Witness Testimony
The case faced delays after defence counsel Dakum complained that DSS officials blocked his access to the defendants, hindering preparation of their defence. When proceedings resumed in March, the prosecution called a DSS operative codenamed "Triple A," who testified that both defendants admitted receiving weapons training in Libya, including instruction in building improvised explosive devices from trainers originating from Egypt, Tunisia, and Algeria. The witness said Usman also admitted to leading Ansaru and that both men acknowledged involvement in kidnappings and illegal mining.
Final Plea Change
At the last hearing on July 9, Abba told the court he wanted to reconsider his not-guilty stance. Justice Nwite adjourned until Monday to allow him time to decide, and both men ultimately changed their pleas on that date. National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu had announced the arrests in August 2025, describing them as the result of a high-risk, intelligence-led, multi-agency operation carried out between May and July 2025. He said the arrests marked a significant blow against Ansaru, which has been linked to multiple attacks and kidnappings across Nigeria.
