Somtochukwu Maduagwu murder trial postponed after suspects absent from court

Proceedings in the murder trial of 11 suspects linked to the death of ARISE News anchor Somtochukwu Maduagwu were delayed Monday after correctional authorities failed to produce the accused at the Abuja High Court in Jabi.

While defense attorneys were present, the defendants themselves were absent. Prosecutor Adama Musa informed Justice Mohammed Idris that Nigerian Correctional Service officials claimed they had not been informed of the scheduled hearing.

Musa emphasized that the prosecution had gone to considerable lengths to ensure four witnesses were available for testimony.

“Our witnesses made significant sacrifices to be here, leaving their offices to attend court today,” he stated.

Justice Idris rescheduled the hearing for Tuesday, February 10, and requested the witnesses return. He further mandated that an official notice be sent to the correctional service to ensure the defendants appear at the next session.

The 11 men—Shamsu Hassan, Sani Surajo, Hassan Isah, Abubakar Alkamu, Abdulsalam Saleh, Suleiman Badamosi, Zaradeen Mohammed, Musa Umar, Mashikur Jamil, Suleiman Sani, and Abubakar Usman—were arraigned on January 21 facing nine counts, including conspiracy, armed robbery, and culpable homicide punishable by death. They have all pleaded not guilty.

The charges stem from an alleged armed robbery on September 29, 2025, at Unique Apartments in Katampe Extension, Abuja. Prosecutors claim the group broke into the residential complex armed with guns, machetes, knives, and charms.

During the attack, Maduagwu allegedly jumped from the third floor to escape, sustaining fatal injuries. Security guard Barnabas Danlami was reportedly shot and also succumbed to his wounds.

Multiple residents were allegedly robbed during the incident. Fatou Toborteh reportedly lost a Lenovo laptop, N80,000 in cash, mobile phones, and a white Honda CRV. Sani Yusuf’s stolen items included a Samsung S25 phone and a MacBook Air worth N5.2 million. David Osas lost phones and a laptop, while Onah George was allegedly robbed of an iPhone 14, an iPad, and a Harman Kardon speaker at gunpoint.

The suspects were arrested between September 29 and October 20, 2025. Authorities allegedly recovered an unlicensed pump-action shotgun and a locally fabricated AK-47 rifle from them.

The charges fall under Sections 6(a)(b)(c) and 1(2)(a) of the Robbery and Firearms Act, 1997, and Section 221 of the Penal Code.

Both prosecution and defense lawyers declined to speak with reporters after Monday’s hearing. The trial is set to continue Tuesday.