The Department of State Services (DSS) has commenced the prosecution of a man accused of allegedly financing terrorism, with the Federal High Court in Abuja ordering that he remain in the custody of the security agency pending the commencement of his trial.
The defendant, identified as Samaila Ibrahim Kaigama, appeared before the court on Wednesday to answer a four-count charge bordering on terrorism financing, concealment of terrorism-related information, material support for outlawed organisations and dealings in funds allegedly linked to terrorist activities.
When the charges were read before the court, Kaigama denied all the allegations, entering a plea of not guilty.
His plea set the stage for a legal battle that is expected to test the prosecution’s evidence under Nigeria’s anti-terrorism laws.
According to the DSS, investigations uncovered activities allegedly carried out by the defendant between January and June 2026 in Abuja and Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
The agency claimed that Kaigama was involved in raising and handling money intended to support the activities of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad, widely known as Boko Haram.
Prosecutors alleged that the defendant did more than merely possess information about terrorist operations.
They claimed he deliberately concealed intelligence that could have assisted law enforcement agencies in preventing acts of terrorism or arresting individuals involved in extremist activities.
The security agency further alleged that Kaigama collected funds from unsuspecting members of the public under the pretence of negotiating the release of kidnap victims.
According to the prosecution, the money was allegedly diverted to support the operations of the two proscribed terrorist groups.
Investigators also accused him of knowingly providing financial services and other forms of material assistance to ISWAP and Boko Haram.
The prosecution maintained that his alleged actions directly or indirectly strengthened the operational capabilities of the terrorist organisations through financial support.
Another allegation contained in the charge is that the defendant knowingly handled terrorist funds by possessing them, facilitating financial transactions involving the money and rendering financial services at the direction of the outlawed groups.
The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/439/2026, was prosecuted by Dr. Caliatus Eze, who urged the court to remand the defendant in the protective custody of the DSS pending trial.
He argued that the request was necessary because of the nature of the allegations, adding that continued detention would protect national security while also ensuring the defendant’s safety.
The defence opposed the prosecution’s request, urging the court to decline the application.
However, after listening to submissions from both parties, Justice Salim Ibrahim ruled that the defendant should remain in DSS custody pending further proceedings.
While granting the prosecution’s application, the judge directed the DSS to respect the defendant’s legal rights throughout the period of detention.
He ordered that Kaigama be given unrestricted access to his lawyer and allowed to receive visits from two family members—his wife and his uncle.
Justice Ibrahim also instructed the security agency to ensure that the defendant receives appropriate medical care whenever necessary during his stay in custody.
Following the ruling, the court adjourned the matter until September 24, when the trial is scheduled to begin.
Court documents revealed that the first charge accuses Kaigama of knowingly concealing information relating to acts of terrorism allegedly committed by ISWAP and Boko Haram despite being aware that such information could have helped security agencies prevent attacks or apprehend suspects.
Prosecutors said the alleged offence contravenes Section 16(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The second count alleges that the defendant fraudulently solicited, acquired, collected and possessed money from members of the public while pretending to negotiate the release of kidnapped victims.
The DSS claimed he knew the funds would ultimately be used to finance terrorist operations, contrary to Section 21 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The third count accuses him of knowingly rendering support to terrorist organisations through material assistance and financial services allegedly provided to ISWAP and Boko Haram, an offence punishable under Section 13(1) of the Act.
The fourth and final charge alleges that Kaigama dealt in terrorist funds by possessing them, facilitating transactions involving such funds and providing financial services connected to terrorist financing.
The prosecution argued that these alleged actions also violate the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The allegations remain before the court, and no findings have yet been made regarding the defendant’s guilt or innocence.
Under Nigerian law, every accused person is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of competent jurisdiction.
With the defendant maintaining his innocence and the DSS insisting it possesses evidence to support the charges, attention will now shift to the trial, where both the prosecution and defence are expected to present their cases before the Federal High Court.
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