The Plateau State High Court in Jos has granted three men standing trial over the Angwa Rukuba attacks leave to each call five defence witnesses.
On Palm Sunday 2026, gunmen attacked Angwa Rukuba in Jos North LGA, killing about 30 people. The Department of State Services later arrested Isa Umar Ibrahim, Auwalu Abubakar aka Auwalu Dogo, and Musa Abubakar Ibrahim aka Yaroro.
The Plateau State government charged the three, alongside Ado Ibrahim who remains at large, with criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, illegal possession of firearms, and illegal dealing in arms and ammunition.
At a case management conference on Tuesday, Justice Gedaliah Fwomyon granted the defence’s request for each defendant to produce five witnesses. He said two full days would be set aside for the testimony of each defendant’s five witnesses.
The judge also ruled that the prosecution must answer all questions in the case management information sheet and may rely on statements of evidence from the defendants and their witnesses. Defendants will be allowed interpreters provided by them or the court, may challenge the admissibility of their statements, and can invite expert witnesses.
Justice Fwomyon ruled that no party may raise interlocutory matters except those already filed and adopted by the court, except in extreme circumstances.
The court fixed July 1 and 2, 2026, for hearing on the substantive matter if the defendants do not challenge jurisdiction. The defendants will remain in DSS custody until the next adjourned date.
President Bola Tinubu had previously approved a ₦2 billion relief package for victims of the attack and pledged justice for those affected.
