The Federal Government on Monday re-arraigned Haruna Abbas, the chief security officer to Ibraheem El-Zakzaky and two others, before Justice Anwuli Chikere of the Federal High Court Abuja.
The Federal Government had arraigned Haruna Abbas, Ibrahim Musa and Adam Suleiman before Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
The defendants were arraigned on an amended eight-count criminal charge for allegedly supporting terrorism between 2009 and 2013, by sending people for terrorist training in Iran.
The offence contravened the provisions of Section 4 of the Terrorist Prevention Act 2013.
At the commencement of the hearing, the prosecuting counsel, Chike Nnenna, informed the court that the matter was starting afresh, as the charge was dated November 5, 2014.
She urged the court to accept the charge and allow same to be read to the defendants to enable them take their plea.
When the charge was read, the defendants pleaded not guilty.
The prosecuting counsel made an oral application that Ibrahim Musa (the second defendant) who is still in DSS custody, be remanded in prison.
Counsel to Mr Abbas, Aliyu Musa, informed the court that he wished to make an oral application on the health condition of the defendant.
Justice Chikere, however, refused the oral application made by Mr Musa and told him to file a motion which will be heard on the next adjourned date.
The judge adjourned the case till May 11 for hearing of the motion and ordered that the defendants be remanded in prison custody.
NAN
