The trial of 11 individuals accused of killing Arise News anchor, Somtochukwu “Sommie” Maduagwu, continued on Tuesday at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Jabi, Abuja, with fresh details emerging on how the suspects were apprehended.
Testifying before the court, the third prosecution witness, Assistant Superintendent of Police Maxwell Eje, disclosed that investigations led to the arrest of the first defendant, Shamsu Hassan, who allegedly fled to Zaria after the September 29, 2025, robbery at Unique Apartments in Katampe.
Eje told the court that Hassan was arrested the following day, September 30, and reportedly confessed to his role in the crime. According to him, the suspect also provided crucial information that helped investigators track down other members of the group.
The witness explained that Hassan identified one Sani Surajo as an accomplice, leading police operatives to a hospital in Gosa along Airport Road, Abuja, where Surajo was receiving treatment for injuries.
“Our commander informed us that Shamsu had been arrested and had revealed that one of the suspects was at Gosa receiving treatment after sustaining injuries,” Eje said.
He added that Surajo was initially caught off guard upon seeing the operatives but later cooperated with the investigation and offered further details that aided the arrest of additional suspects.
However, proceedings were halted before cross-examination could begin after defence counsel, Dennis Abu, requested permission to attend a medical appointment. Abu, who represents the seventh to eleventh defendants and also stood in for the first and third defendants, was granted leave by the court.
Presiding judge, Justice Mohammed Idris, subsequently adjourned the case to April 23, 2026, for continuation of hearing, including cross-examination of the witness.
The defendants are facing charges of conspiracy, armed robbery, and murder, filed by the FCT Commissioner of Police. The charges stem from the robbery incident that claimed the lives of Maduagwu and a security guard, Barnabas Danlami.
The trial, which began on February 10, 2026, has already featured testimonies from two former residents of the estate, who recounted how masked gunmen carried out the attack but said they were unable to identify any of the accused persons.
