Court remands two suspects for allegedly aiding bandits in Katsina

A Federal High Court in Kano State has ordered the remand of two Katsina State residents, Sani Mamman and Abubakar Umar, over allegations of aiding bandit activities.

The defendants were arraigned on charges bordering on alleged support for bandits in violation of provisions of the Terrorism Prevention Act.

According to the prosecution, Mamman, a resident of Ruwan Godiya in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State, was allegedly engaged in March 2025 to transport suspected bandits to a forest in Faskari.

He was accused of committing offences contrary to Section 13(a), (b) and (c) of the Terrorism Prevention Act.

Mamman, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge, telling the court that he was not a driver as alleged but earned a living selling beans with a wheelbarrow.

He also informed the court that although his father was deceased, his mother resides in Funtua.

The prosecution counsel, Hadiza Adamu Yabani, told the court that the defendant had remained in custody since his arrest in March 2025.

The second defendant, Abubakar Umar, a resident of Rimi Local Government Area of Katsina State, was arrested on December 2, 2024, for allegedly attempting to transport arms and ammunition to bandits.

Prosecutors said the offence was also contrary to Section 13 of the Terrorism Prevention Act.

Umar denied the allegation, insisting that he was not involved in the offence.

He told the court that farming and the sale of perishable goods were his means of livelihood before his arrest.

Defence counsel, H.A. Kalmaten, informed the court that he had taken over the case from I.I. Umar after consultations with the defendants.

Presiding Judge, Justice S.M. Shuaibu, adjourned the matter to July 7 and 8, 2026, for commencement of trial and ordered that the defendants be remanded in a correctional facility within the court’s jurisdiction pending further proceedings.