The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of Samaila Ibrahim Kaigama, accused of negotiating ransom payments for Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) members, at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending further proceedings in his trial.

Justice Ibrahim Salim issued the order on Tuesday after the Department of State Services (DSS) arraigned Kaigama on a seven-count amended charge bordering on alleged terrorism-related offences, ransom collection, cybercrime, incitement and money laundering.

Kaigama pleaded not guilty to the charges. The court adjourned the case until November 13, 2026, for further proceedings.

The prosecution, led by Oyedepo Rotimi, the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, alleged that Kaigama established unauthorised communications with members of Boko Haram and ISWAP and negotiated ransom payments in July 2026.

According to the charges, he also allegedly failed to disclose information about the activities of the groups to security agencies, despite having information that could assist their investigation and prosecution.

One of the counts accuses the defendant of receiving ransom money from a hostage’s family despite allegedly having reasonable grounds to believe the funds would be used to finance terrorism.

The prosecution further alleged that Kaigama solicited and mobilised financial contributions from the family in support of ISWAP members.

Another count alleges that he used WhatsApp, through a group identified as BOSYA, and Facebook to request ransom payments for onward transmission to the terrorists. The charge puts the alleged financial loss suffered by the hostage’s family at more than N1.8 million.

Kaigama is also accused of mobilising members of affected communities to stage protests against Senator Ali Ndume and the Borno State Government, an allegation the prosecution characterised as incitement to public disorder.

The final count concerns the alleged retention of N1.8 million paid into his bank account by the hostage’s family. The prosecution said the alleged conduct violated provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The charges draw on provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, the Cybercrimes Act and the Criminal Code Act.

Following the defendant’s plea, the DSS requested his remand and an expedited trial. His lawyer, Chris Abengowe, attempted to argue a bail application, but the application could not be entertained because it was based on charges that had been struck out. The prosecution also indicated that it intended to file a counter-affidavit opposing the bail request.