Yelwata Attack Trial Delayed as Benue Awaits Forensic Pathology Report

Proceedings in the trial of nine men charged over the June 13, 2025 attack in Yelwata, Benue State, were delayed on Friday at the Federal High Court in Abuja after two defendants appeared without separate legal representation.

When the matter came up before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, lawyers announced appearances for the prosecution and most of the accused persons. The court, however, noted that the 7th and 8th defendants had no counsel standing specifically for them.

Asked by the judge to clarify their position, the two defendants said they were being represented by Ibrahim Angulu, SAN, who is counsel to the 1st defendant. The response created immediate uncertainty because Angulu had earlier indicated to the court that he intended to withdraw from representing those two defendants.

Justice Abdulmalik then asked for clarification. Angulu said he was surprised by the defendants’ claim and told the court he had received a message suggesting he had been relieved of that part of his brief. Even with that explanation, the judge held that the court has discretion to refuse a withdrawal request where doing so is necessary to protect the course of justice.

The court asked the two defendants directly whether they sent any message disengaging the senior advocate. They denied sending such communication. Following that exchange, Justice Abdulmalik refused Angulu’s application to withdraw and directed him to continue representing the 7th and 8th defendants so the trial would not be stalled further.

To support that directive, the court also ordered the Nigerian Correctional Service to grant Angulu unhindered access to the affected defendants for legal consultation. The case was then adjourned to March 4 for continuation of trial and for hearing on other pending applications.

The nine defendants are facing a 57-count amended charge bordering on terrorism in connection with the deadly Yelwata incident in Guma Local Government Area. In earlier proceedings, a prosecution witness told the court that more than 200 armed men carried out the attack and alleged that disgruntled Fulani chiefs financed the operation. All nine defendants have pleaded not guilty.

Away from the courtroom, the Benue State Government on Friday confirmed that a federal medical pathology team visited the state to conduct forensic examinations related to victims of the massacre. State officials said, however, that the report from that exercise has not yet been submitted.

Solomon Iorpev, Technical Adviser to the Governor on Communication, Media and Publicity, said the team came for further investigation but had not released findings to the state.

Also speaking, the Director General of Homeland Security in Benue, Air Commodore Jacob Gbamwuan (retd.), said pathologists from Abuja arrived with security operatives and were taken to Yelwata for forensic work. He said the report was still pending and that he could not speak on its contents.

Residents in Yelwata said the officials visited several burial sites after arriving on February 23 with security personnel. Community sources also said some bodies were exhumed from mass graves as part of the exercise. A senior government official, who asked not to be named, said the team was led by a Benue-born professor and that the state would receive a formal briefing once the report is released.

Authorities believe the forensic findings could become key evidence in the ongoing Abuja trial.