- Court adjourns case to February 2026
Almost four months after the murder of ARISE News journalist, Ms Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu, and a security guard, Mr. Barnabas Danlami, the Police Command in Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have arraigned 11 suspects before the FCT High Court sitting in Jabi in connection with the unfortunate incident
According to the Command, the suspects are accused of killing the victims during a robbery attack at Unique Apartments, Katampe Extension, Mabushi, Abuja, on September 29, 2025.
Those arraigned in Court on Tuesday, January 20, 2026 include Shamsu Hassan, Sani Sirajo, Hassan Isah, Abubakar Alkamu, and Abdulsalam Saleh.
Others are Suleiman Badamasi, Zaharadeen Mohammed, Musa Umar, aka ‘Small’, Mashkur Jamil, Suleiman Sani, and Abubakar Usman.
Somtochukwu was an anchor, reporter, and producer with ARISE News while Danlami was serving as a security guard at the apartment complex at the time of their unfortunate death.
Going by the Court’s records, the police are charging the defendants on nine counts bordering on criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, and murder among others.
After taking their pleas, the court adjourned the case to February 2026 for further hearing.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the FCT Command, SP Josephine Adeh, confirmed this latest development in Abuja on Tuesday.
In related development, the FCT Police Command has tasked residents of the nation’s capital to remain alert and cooperate with security agencies by reporting suspicious persons or items promptly.
The Command said members of the public can reach the Police through the emergency lines 08032003913, 08028940883, or the Complaint Response Unit on 08107314192.
