The Department of State Services has arraigned Abdulazeez Obadaki, the suspected mastermind of the terror attacks on Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja, which led to his escape and that of other detainees in July 2022.
Obadaki, who is also alleged to have orchestrated attacks on four commercial banks in Edo State, was brought before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik on Thursday on a six-count charge bordering on terrorism offences.
The affected banks are all located along Market Road, Uromi, in Esan North-East LGA.
After the attacks, Obadaki allegedly received N300,000 as his share of the proceeds, which was sent to his bank account.
After an attack on Deeper Life Bible Church in Okene, Kogi State, in 2012, Obadaki was believed to have led a gang on another operation where they raided the four commercial banks, killing and carting away large sums of money.
Obadaki was subsequently trailed, arrested by security forces, and remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre, but escaped during the July 2022 jailbreak.
Obadaki, popularly known as “Bomboy,” is alleged to be a member of the Ansaru terrorist group.
In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/629/2025, the defendant was said to have joined the terror group through “one Abu Muhsab,” as stated in count one.
The offence contravenes Section 16(1) of the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act, 2013.
Count two alleged that Obadaki, aged 42 and of 10D Lafiya Street, Okene, Kogi State, sometime around March 2022, failed to disclose information he knew would materially assist in the apprehension of Abu Muhsab, a known terrorist.
This, the charge says, violates Section 8(1)(b) of the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act, 2013.
In count three, he was alleged to have, around February 23, 2022, rendered support to a terrorist group by encouraging and assuring Abu Muhsab and his gang to carry out acts of terrorism, including attacks on four branches of commercial banks in Edo State.
Count five accused the defendant of conspiring with Abu Muhsab and other gang members, who are now at large, to attack Kuje Correctional Centre in July 2022, resulting in his escape and that of other inmates.
This contravenes Section 516 of the Criminal Code Act.
In count six, Obadaki was alleged to have escaped from Kuje Custodial Centre on or about July 5, 2022, where he was being held on terrorism charges.
The offence violates Section 135 of the Criminal Code Act.
The offences are contrary to Section 5(1)(a) of the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act, 2013.
After the charge was read to him, Obadaki pleaded guilty to count six, relating to escaping from lawful custody, but pleaded not guilty to the remaining five counts.
Following his plea, Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter until January 26, 2026, to allow the court to review the facts of the charge to which he pleaded guilty and to hear the counts to which he pleaded not guilty.
The court ordered that he be remanded in DSS custody until the adjourned date.
