Plateau High Court Rules State Courts Can Try Terrorism Cases, Rejects Motion Seeking Transfer of Angwa Rukuba Massacre Suspect from DSS’ Custody

The Plateau State High Court has asserted its jurisdiction to try terrorism cases, ruling that state high courts can hear offenses under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act (TPPA) of 2022. This decision, delivered by Justice Gedeliah Fwomyon, challenges the common practice of assigning such cases exclusively to the Federal High Court and could reshape terrorism prosecutions across Nigeria.

The ruling came during a jurisdictional application filed by four suspects arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) for their alleged involvement in the Angwa Rukuba massacre. The suspects sought to have the State High Court's jurisdiction dismissed and to be transferred from DSS custody. However, the court found no prohibition in the TPPA or the Constitution preventing state courts from handling terrorism-related offenses.

In addition to the jurisdictional challenge, the court denied a motion by one suspect, Auwalu Abubakar, to be transferred from DSS custody to Jos University Teaching Hospital for medical attention. Justice Fwomyon stated that the suspects were medically fit for detention following an examination and that the court could not grant the relief without sufficient factual foundation or documentation presented before it. The case was adjourned for further proceedings.

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Motion of the defendant is hereby refused and dismissed for failure to establish sufficient factual foundation upon which the relief is sought.