A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the arrest of suspects accused of having links with wanted terrorist leader Bello Turji after they failed to appear for trial.

Justice Emeka Nwite issued a bench warrant on Wednesday following an oral application by the Federal Government’s lawyer, David Kaswe.

The order followed the absence of the defendants when the case was called.

The suspects are Musa Kamarawa, Abubakar Hashimu (also known as Doctor), Samuel Chinedu, and Lucky Chukwuma. None of them was present in court when proceedings resumed.

Asked to explain their absence, defence counsel A. M. Lukman said he had contacted the first defendant, Kamarawa, who assured him they would attend court. He told the judge he was surprised they failed to appear.

Kaswe informed the court that the prosecution and its witnesses were present as scheduled and urged the court to issue arrest warrants. Justice Nwite granted the application and adjourned the case to February 24 for the continuation of the trial.

The case involves terrorism charges filed by the Federal Government against eight individuals, including Bello Turji, who remains at large. Other defendants still at large are Aminu Muhammad and Sani Lawal.

According to the charge, the suspects allegedly provided support to terrorist groups by supplying drugs, food, uniforms, building materials, and other items to camps in Zamfara, Sokoto, and Kaduna states.

One of the counts alleges that the accused knew a military gun truck which they “knew or had reason to believe that this vehicle would be used by Kachalla Halilu, a known terrorist, to commit acts of terrorism.”

The defendants who were earlier arraigned pleaded not guilty to the charges. They were previously denied bail, and the court ordered witness protection at the commencement of the trial.

The case was initially struck out in July 2025 for lack of diligent prosecution but was later reinstated following an application by the Federal Government.