The Department of State Services (DSS) on Thursday arraigned two suspects on separate terrorism-related charges, just days after securing a 20-year jail sentence against Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) commander Hussaini Ismaila.
The DSS brought Abdulmalik Abdulazeez Obadaki — alleged mastermind of the 2012 attack on Deeper Life Bible Church in Okene, Kogi State — before a Federal High Court in Abuja on a six-count charge. The allegations include membership of a terrorist organisation, conspiracy, assisting acts of terrorism, concealment of information, and escape from lawful custody.
Obadaki pleaded guilty only to Count Six, which relates to escaping custody, but denied the remaining charges. Justice Joyce Obehi Abdulmalik adjourned the case to January 26, 2026, for presentation of the facts supporting the admitted charge and hearing on the disputed counts. He was ordered to remain in DSS custody.
In a separate case, the DSS also arraigned social media user Innocent Chukwuemeka for allegedly using his X (formerly Twitter) account to advocate a coup in Nigeria. He faces six counts of false publication intended to cause public alarm and cyberstalking. Chukwuemeka pleaded not guilty, and his trial was similarly adjourned to January 26, 2026. He was also remanded in DSS custody.
Obadaki, long linked to extremist networks, was believed to have led a gang that attacked five commercial banks in Uromi, Edo State, killing several people and stealing large sums of money after the 2012 church attack. He was arrested and detained at Kuje Prison but escaped during the July 2022 jailbreak.
Security sources say he later confessed to orchestrating the Kuje Custodial Centre escape shortly after being transferred from the Kabba Custodial Centre in June 2022.
The two arraignments mark the latest in a series of high-profile terrorism prosecutions by the DSS.
