The Federal High Court in Abuja has admitted in evidence a video recording of statements made by suspects standing trial over the killings in Yelwata, Benue State, marking a key development in proceedings that have faced repeated delays.
The prosecution counsel, Mariam Okorie, tendered the compact disc before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik on Monday, informing the court that the defendants had been served with the material in line with procedure.
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Defence lawyers did not object, and the court admitted the disc as Exhibit TWT1 before ordering that it be played in open court, Punch reported.
The footage, presented through a prosecution witness, Paul Moses, captured the defendants at various stages, including their arrest in Benue State, transfer to the Intelligence Response Team, and the recording of their statements.
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According to the witness, the process was conducted in the presence of the defendants’ lawyers and family members.
In one of the clips, the third defendant, Haruna Abdullahi, confirmed his identity and spoke about personal losses, stating that he had lost about 100 cows and two children.
He alleged that other herders suffered similar attacks around May last year and said the losses led to meetings convened by local leaders.
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He told investigators that he contributed N300,000 during one such meeting, describing it as part of efforts linked to reprisals.
He also disclosed that he once owned an AK-47 rifle but had sold it before the incident.
In another segment, Mr Abdullahi attributed the destruction of livestock to attacks by Tiv youths and said the situation forced several herders to flee.
He acknowledged attending meetings where contributions were raised, but claimed he did not know whether the funds were eventually used to carry out any attack.
Proceedings were briefly interrupted during the playback when defence counsel raised concerns over the accuracy of the Hausa-to-English interpretation in court.
Counsel for the third defendant, Ahmed Muhammad, urged the court to discharge the interpreter, arguing that the translation was unreliable.
Justice Abdulmalik granted the request and directed the prosecution to provide a new interpreter before the next hearing.
The latest development follows earlier disruptions in the trial.
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At a previous sitting, proceedings were adjourned after the same defendant collapsed in court, prompting calls for urgent medical attention and halting the trial.
The case had also been delayed after the prosecution disclosed that the device containing the video evidence was initially corrupted.
The defendants are among those standing trial over the June 13, 2025, attack on the Yelwata community in the Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, where about 150 people were reportedly killed.
The federal government has filed multiple terrorism-related charges against them.
The trial has drawn attention in recent months, particularly after reports that mass graves linked to the attack were exhumed as part of ongoing investigations.
Authorities say the process was aimed at strengthening evidence in the case and identifying victims.
The matter has been adjourned for continuation of the hearing, with the court expected to resume proceedings after a new interpreter is provided.
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