The trial of 22 individuals arrested in connection with the June 20, 2025, mob attack in Mangun community, Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, has been adjourned to Friday, July 11, to allow the prosecution to amend the charges.
The suspects were arraigned before the Plateau State High Court in Jos on Thursday, facing a four-count charge related to the killing of 13 wedding guests.
During proceedings, the prosecuting counsel, S.I. Ikutanwa, sought the court’s permission for the suspects to take their plea. However, defence counsel, Garba Pwul, raised an objection, stating that two of the accused were minors aged 13 and 17, making the charges legally flawed.
Pwul argued that trying minors alongside adults was improper and requested time to file a formal objection.
In response, the prosecutor agreed that the minors’ names could be expunged from the charge sheet, proposing that the remaining 20 suspects proceed with their plea.
However, Justice Boniface Ngyon ruled that it would be premature to proceed with the plea until the charges were formally amended. He adjourned the case to Friday, July 11, and ordered that all suspects be remanded in police custody.
The suspects are accused of taking part in a violent attack that led to the death of 13 wedding guests travelling from Zaria, Kaduna State, to Qua’an Pan LGA for a wedding. The victims, including men, women, and children, were riding in a bus belonging to Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) when they were attacked after stopping to ask for directions.
Several passengers were also injured in the incident.
Meanwhile, Plateau State Commissioner of Police, CP Emmanuel Olugbemiga Adesina, has reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to ensuring justice is served. Addressing journalists in Jos, he assured that efforts were ongoing to track down all perpetrators involved in the heinous act.
He urged residents, particularly the youth, to refrain from taking the law into their own hands and report suspicious activity to the police or other security agencies.
