The Department of State Services has arraigned two suspects before separate Federal High Courts in Abuja on terrorism-related offences and alleged incitement to overthrow the government, only two days after securing the conviction of ISWAP commander Hussaini Ismaila, who received a 20-year sentence.
In the first case, the DSS brought Abdulmalik Abdulazeez Obadaki to court, accusing him of masterminding the 2012 attack on the Deeper Life Bible Church in Okene, Kogi State. He is facing a six-count charge covering membership of a terrorist group, conspiracy, rendering assistance to terrorism, concealing information, participating in terrorist activities and escape from lawful custody. Obadaki pleaded guilty only to escaping custody but denied the remaining charges. Justice Joyce Obehi adjourned the matter to January 26, 2026, to review the facts supporting the guilty plea and take evidence on the counts he contested.
Also arraigned was Innocent Chukwuemeka, accused of using his X account to encourage a coup in Nigeria. He faces six counts relating to publishing false information capable of causing public alarm and cyberstalking. Chukwuemeka pleaded not guilty, and the court adjourned his case to January 26, 2026, ordering that he remain in DSS custody.
Obadaki’s background has long been tied to high-profile violent attacks. After the Okene church killings, he was believed to have led a gang that raided five commercial banks in Uromi, Edo State, killing several people and escaping with large sums of money. He was detained in Kuje Prison until the July 2022 jailbreak, during which he escaped. Security sources say he later confessed to orchestrating the jailbreak after being transferred from Kabba Custodial Centre in June 2022.
