AGF Fagbemi leads Nigerian govt prosecution in Benue massacre trial

The Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF, and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, is heading the Federal Government’s legal team prosecuting nine suspects over their alleged roles in the killing of about 150 residents of Yelwata, a community in Benue State.

The suspects were brought before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, following allegations that they carried out the deadly attack in Yelwata, Guma Local Government Area, on June 13, 2025.

The case was instituted by the Federal Government after what it described as an extensive investigation carried out in collaboration with relevant security and investigative agencies.

The suspects are facing a 57-count amended charge connected to the mass killing that occurred in the Benue community in June last year.

Those standing trial are Ado Mohammed Dono, Mohammed Saidu, Alh Haruna Abdullahi, Yakubu Adamu, Mohammed Musa, Abubakar Adamu, Shaibu Ibrahim, Saleh Mohammed and Bako Jibril. All nine defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges filed against them.

The Federal Government had earlier announced plans to commence the trial of those linked to the Benue killings, stressing its determination to ensure accountability for the crime.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation reassured Nigerians that justice would be pursued diligently in the case as a warning to individuals or groups threatening national peace and security.

“The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to the protection of lives and property of all as enshrined in the constitution”, AGF stated in the statement.

AGF Fagbemi leads Nigerian govt prosecution in Benue massacre trial