Nigeria Terrorism Trial Adjourned After Defendant Collapses

The trial of nine men accused of terrorism in connection with a deadly attack on a community in Nigeria's Benue State stalled Tuesday when one defendant collapsed unconscious in a courtroom in Abuja, prompting an adjournment for medical attention.

The incident occurred before proceedings could begin at the Federal High Court, where Justice Joyce Abdulmalik was presiding. Haruna Abdullahi, the third defendant, slumped from his seat around 10 a.m. after prison officials escorted the group into the room. Officials from the Nigerian Correctional Service attempted to revive him and assisted him back to his chair, but he remained unresponsive for more than an hour, even as the judge entered the courtroom near noon.

Prosecutor Rotimi Oyedepo, a senior advocate of Nigeria and director of public prosecutions, informed the court that the session was scheduled to continue a trial-within-a-trial to determine the admissibility of the defendants' statements, which the defense claims were obtained under duress. Oyedepo noted that correctional officials reported Abdullahi had arrived in good health but developed issues in court. "The defendant must be well to face his trial," he said, adding...