The Federal High Court in Abuja has officially proscribed the Lakurawa sect and other similar groups, declaring them terrorist organizations.
The ruling was delivered on Thursday by Justice James Omotosho, following a motion filed by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), seeking the proscription of these groups.
The Attorney-General, through an ex-parte application marked FHC/ABJ/CS/41/2025, had requested four orders from the court. The motion was moved by Assistant Director in the Federal Ministry of Justice, David Kaswe, with support from Michael Akawu, a litigation officer in the Department of Public Prosecutions of the Federation. Akawu, who deposed to an affidavit in support of the summons, stated that he had the consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), M.B. Abubakar, to make the claims.
In his affidavit, Akawu argued that there were substantial grounds to believe that the Lakurawa sect met the criteria of a terrorist group under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act. He outlined the group’s involvement in various criminal activities, including cattle rustling, kidnapping for ransom, attacks on government officials and security personnel, and spreading their ideology to local communities to encourage defiance against the authorities. These acts, he said, have led to significant harm, loss of lives, and damage to properties, posing a severe threat to national security.
“The activities of the Lakurawa sect/group pose a significant threat to national security, public peace, and order in Nigeria,” Akawu added. He further emphasized that proscribing the group was essential for the overall peace and security of the country.
Justice Omotosho, in his ruling, granted all the reliefs sought, declaring the activities of Lakurawa and similar groups as acts of terrorism. He issued an order proscribing the existence of Lakurawa and similar groups in any part of Nigeria, particularly in the North-West and North-Central regions, whether as groups or individuals.
The court also prohibited any individual or group from participating in activities associated with the sect or its objectives, regardless of the name under which they operate. Additionally, the court proscribed all other groups in Nigeria with similar objectives, which include banditry, kidnapping, mass abductions, cattle rustling, and various forms of violence, sexual abuse, and destruction of property.
The ruling also mandates that the proscription orders be published in the Official Gazette and two national newspapers.