Plateau court upholds jurisdiction over Easter attack suspects

A Plateau State High Court in Jos has asserted its authority to hear terrorism cases, rejecting a challenge to its jurisdiction. Justice Gedeliah Fwomyon ruled that state high courts can try offenses under the federal Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

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although the TPPA 2022 was federal legislation, the law did not expressly prohibit a state high court from trying offences created under it.

The ruling came as the court heard a preliminary objection from four suspects arrested by the Department of State Services. They are accused of involvement in the Easter 2026 attack on Angwa Rukuba, which resulted in more than 30 deaths. The Plateau State Government had filed charges against five suspects for the killings.

Defense counsel argued that terrorism offenses fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal High Court. However, Justice Fwomyon stated that the 2022 Act does not explicitly prohibit state high courts from trying these cases. He also noted that state Houses of Assembly can legislate on terrorism, as it is not exclusively on the federal list, and found no inconsistency between the Plateau State Penal Code and the federal Act.

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there was nothing in the constitution preventing a state House of Assembly from legislating on terrorism, noting that terrorism was not included in the Exclusive Legislative List.

In addition to affirming jurisdiction, the court denied a request from suspect Auwalu Abubakar to be transferred to Jos University Teaching Hospital for medical care. The judge noted that all suspects were medically certified fit for detention following their arrest.

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following their arrest by the DSS, the suspects were subjected to medical examinations and certified medically fit for detention.