Notorious kidnap kingpin, Hamisu Bala, popularly known as Wadume and 6 others have pleaded ‘not guilty’ to a 13 count amended charge leveled against them by the Federal government before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.
Shortly after the kidnap kingpin, Hamisu Bala, and other defendants had taken their plea, the prosecution counsel, Mr. Shuaibu Labaran, prayed the court to grant accelerated hearing to the matter due to its nature.
The defense team did not object to the application.
The trial judge, Justice Binta Nyako, directed the defendants to file a harmonised application for bail to be heard on a particular date.
Justice Nyako therefore made an order directing the continuous detention of the kidnap kingpin, in police custody with a clause that he must be allowed access to his lawyers and visitors.
The matter has been adjourned until the 22nd of this month for trial.
Mr. Wadume and six others are facing charges bordering on kidnapping, terrorism and illegal possession of firearms.