Judge watches suspects’ confession video recording in slain Arise TV journalist case

An FCT High Court in Jabi, Abuja, has considered a part of a police interrogation video introduced as proof within the trial of 11 defendants accused over the theft by which Arise News journalist Somtochukwu Maduagwu and safety guard Barnabas Danlami have been slain. Justice Mohammed Idris watched roughly 20 minutes of the recording, that includes statements from the primary two defendants, earlier than defence legal professionals requested that playback cease to save lots of time.

The defendants face 9 counts referring to legal conspiracy, armed theft and the slaying of the 2 victims at Unique Apartments in Katampe, Abuja, in September 2025. All pleaded not responsible and stay remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre. They are Shamsu Hassan, Sani Sirajo, Hassan Isah, Abubakar Alkamu, Abdulsalam Saleh, Suleiman Badamasi, Zaharadeen Mohammed, Musa Umar, Mashkur Jamil, Suleiman Sani and Abubakar Usman.

Prosecution counsel Adama Musa tendered the recording by means of Assistant Superintendent of Police Douglas Ishaku, the fourth prosecution witness. Ishaku stated he recorded the defendants’ statements, carried out questioning in Hausa and translated the questions and responses into English.

After admitting the recording as an exhibit, the court docket granted the prosecution’s request to play it on a laptop computer considered by the decide and legal professionals. In the recording, Hassan acknowledged that he was being investigated for armed theft and named individuals he alleged participated within the incident.

He stated the group carried weapons and admitted firing on the safety guard when the guard tried to overpower one other member. He stated he didn’t know the guard subsequently died. Hassan additionally stated a lady jumped from the constructing following the gunshot. His account differed from Ishaku’s earlier testimony {that a} member of the group pushed Maduagwu from the constructing. Hassan stated the group took valuables, together with a automobile, and that he acquired ₦200,000 from the proceeds.

Sirajo, the second defendant, stated within the recording that he drove the automobile used to move the group to the condo complicated. He described gathering the automotive in Abuja and choosing up different members at completely different places earlier than travelling to Katampe. He stated one other member directed him to the property.

Sirajo stated he parked outdoors and heard a gunshot through the theft. Following the playback, the prosecution concluded Ishaku’s examination-in-chief, and defence legal professionals started questioning him concerning the investigation and the procedures used to acquire the statements. Counsel for Hassan, A.B. Samson, requested when the written and recorded statements have been taken. Ishaku stated he couldn’t recall the dates.

The witness confirmed that neither legal professionals nor family of the defendants have been current through the recording. He additionally acknowledged that the theft victims had been unable to establish the defendants. Under questioning by Sirajo’s lawyer, William Otabor, Ishaku stated he couldn’t recall the identify of the hospital in Gosa-Toge, Abuja, the place the second defendant was arrested, or the identify of a workers member he spoke with there. He stated he knew the situation for which Sirajo was receiving remedy however had not included it in his witness assertion.

Ishaku confirmed that no devices taken through the theft have been discovered on Sirajo when he was arrested. He additionally stated he didn’t accompany the exhibit keeper into the police exhibit room when a recovered firearm was saved. The third defendant’s lawyer, E.I. Onoja, adopted the questions requested by counsel for the primary and second defendants.

Responding to Ojonomi Apeh, who represents the fourth to sixth defendants, Ishaku confirmed that the fifth defendant denied collaborating within the theft. He maintained that investigators discovered proof linking him to the group. Justice Idris adjourned proceedings till December 9 for the continuation of cross-examination. During earlier testimony, police witness Maxwell Eje described how investigators arrested suspects and recovered weapons allegedly linked to the theft.

Two residents, Sani Yusuf and Fatou Toborteh, beforehand instructed the court docket that they heard a lady screaming and later noticed Maduagwu injured. She was subsequently confirmed useless at a hospital. Both residents stated they might not establish the defendants as a result of the intruders wore masks. The allegations stay earlier than the court docket for willpower.