The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned Abdulazeez Obadaki, the suspected mastermind of the 2022 Kuje Correctional Centre jailbreak and the 2012 massacre at the Deeper Life Bible Church in Okene, Kogi State.
Obadaki, also known as Bomboy, was brought before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday on a six-count charge bordering on terrorism, conspiracy, aiding violent attacks, concealment of information, and escape from lawful custody.
At least 19 worshippers, including a pastor, were shot dead in the 2012 church attack after gunmen armed with AK-47 rifles stormed the service and opened fire indiscriminately.
According to the charge sheet marked FHC/ABJ/CR/629/2025, the DSS alleged that Obadaki, believed to be a member of the Ansaru terror group, “participated in multiple coordinated operations,” including deadly raids on several commercial banks in Uromi, Esan North-East LGA of Edo State, where many were killed and huge sums carted away.
DSS prosecutors further alleged that the suspect was recruited into the terror network by one Abu Muhsab, and failed to provide intelligence that could have facilitated his arrest.
Obadaki had earlier been detained at the Kuje Correctional Centre before escaping during the July 2022 jailbreak, in which over 500 inmates fled the facility—an attack authorities say he helped plan.
When the charges were read, he pleaded guilty only to count six, which relates to escaping from custody, but denied the terrorism-related offences.
Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the case to January 26, 2026, for review of the guilty plea and continuation of trial on the remaining counts. She ordered that the defendant remain in DSS custody.
In a separate session on Thursday, the secret police also arraigned one Innocent Chukwuemeka, accused of using his X (formerly Twitter) account to openly call for a military coup in Nigeria.
He is charged with cyberstalking and making false statements capable of inciting public unrest.
Chukwuemeka pleaded not guilty and was also remanded in DSS custody pending hearing on January 26.
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