The defendants appeared in court on Wednesday following the filing of the amended charges on January 10, 2026.
Twelve suspects accused of killing Arise News anchor Somtochukwu Maduagwu, popularly called Sommie, have been arraigned before the Federal Capital Territory High Court on amended charges, with the court setting aside three consecutive days for the hearing.
The defendants appeared in court on Wednesday following the filing of the amended charges on January 10, 2026.
According to lawyer Najib Adamu Usman, who is privy to the case, the suspects now face additional allegations of armed robbery involving other residents of the estate where Maduagwu was killed.
At the arraignment, all defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The trial judge adjourned the case to February 9, 10 and 12, 2026, for definite hearing and ordered that the defendants be remanded at Kuje Correctional Facility pending the trial.
Maduagwu’s death had sparked public outrage and raised concerns over security in residential estates within the Federal Capital Territory.
The amended charges reportedly expand the scope of the allegations against the defendants to include attacks on other residents of the same estate. Setting aside three consecutive days for the hearing is intended to ensure the case proceeds without unnecessary delays.
Najib Usman described the court’s scheduling as a sign of commitment to speedy justice. He wrote on X: “I am happy that the court has slated three days straight for the hearing. This shows the resolve of the court and counsel to prosecute the matter swiftly and diligently.”
The prosecution is expected to open its case on the adjourned dates, while the defendants will remain in custody until then.
Maduagwu, an Arise News anchor, was killed on September 29, 2025, during an armed robbery at Unique Apartments, Katampe Extension, Abuja. A security guard, Barnabas Danlami, was also shot dead, while Maduagwu sustained severe injuries after jumping from her apartment window in an attempt to escape and later died.
In October 2025, the Nigeria Police Force revealed that the gang responsible for the attack obtained their weapons from a supplier in the Niger Republic.
The FCT Police Command confirmed that 12 suspects had been arrested in connection with the incident: Shamsudeen Hassan, Hassan Isah (22), Abubakar Alkamu (27), Sani Sirajo (20), Mashkur Jamilu (28), Suleiman Badamasi (21), Abdulsalam Saleh, Zaharadeen Muhammad (23), Musa Adamu (30), Sumayya Mohammed (27), Isah Abdulrahman (25), and Musa Umar (31).
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