A Federal High Court sitting in Kano has ordered the remand of two men from Katsina State, accused of providing support to armed bandits operating in the state.

The defendants, identified as Sani Mamman and Abubakar Umar, were arraigned on separate counts under section 13 of the Terrorism Prevention Act, which criminalises participation in, support for or facilitation of terrorist activities, including the movement of fighters and weapons.

Prosecutors told the court that Mamman, a resident of Ruwan Godiya in Faskari Local Government Area, was allegedly engaged to transport suspected bandits to a forest in Faskari. The alleged offence was said to have occurred in March 2025 and, according to the charge sheet, falls under subsections a, b and c of section 13, which cover aiding, abetting and providing logistics for terrorism.

Mamman pleaded not guilty. He told the court he was not a driver and had never worked as one, insisting that he earns a living selling beans from a wheelbarrow. He added that while his father is late, his mother is alive and resides in Funtua, also in Katsina State.

Prosecution counsel Hadiza Adamu Yabani informed the court that Mamman had been in detention since his arrest in March 2025, arguing that the nature of the allegations warranted his continued remand pending trial.

In the second case, Abubakar Umar, from Rimi Local Government Area of Katsina State, was accused of attempting to convey arms and ammunition to bandits. He was arrested on December 2, 2024, and charged under the same section 13 of the Terrorism Prevention Act.

Umar also pleaded not guilty, telling the court that he was not the person involved in the alleged offence. He said he was a farmer and trader in perishable goods before his arrest and maintained that his income came from legitimate activities.

Defence counsel H A Kalmaten informed the court that he had taken over representation of the defendants from a previous lawyer, I I Umar, after consulting with the accused persons.

Presiding judge Justice S M Shuaibu ordered that both defendants be remanded in a correctional facility within the court’s jurisdiction. The matter was adjourned to 7 and 8 July for the commencement of trial, when the prosecution is expected to call its first witnesses and tender evidence in support of the charges.