The President of the Borno State Youths Association (BOSYA), Samaila Ibrahim Kaigama, the man who shook the country with claims of a controversial ₦5 billion kidnap ransom deal involving Senator Ali Ndume and the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), has been dragged before a Federal High Court in Abuja on terrorism-related charges.
Samaila Ibrahim Kaigama, whose explosive interview with Channels Television sparked nationwide outrage, was arraigned on Wednesday before Court 13 of the Federal High Court on a four-count charge filed by the Federal Government.
The youth leader had claimed he acted as the middleman between kidnappers and the Office of the National Security Adviser during negotiations for the release of residents abducted from Ngoshe in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
According to him, the kidnappers demanded a staggering ₦5 billion ransom. He said he contacted Borno South Senator Ali Ndume after the abductors reached out to him and that the senator helped connect him with the Office of the National Security Adviser.
Kaigama further alleged that although the NSA released the full ₦5 billion, only ₦1.5 billion eventually reached the kidnappers, raising questions about the whereabouts of the remaining ₦3.5 billion.
His bombshell allegations immediately triggered public outrage and political controversy.
Senator Ndume swiftly distanced himself from the claims, insisting he knew nothing about any ransom payment and played no role in the alleged transaction. He also challenged security agencies to investigate Kaigama’s allegations and uncover the truth.
Days later, security operatives arrested Kaigama, culminating in his arraignment on Wednesday.
When the charges were read in court, the BOSYA president pleaded not guilty to all four counts.
The trial judge subsequently adjourned the case until September 24, 2026, for the commencement of trial after the court’s annual vacation.
The court also ordered that Kaigama be granted access to his lawyers, two family members and his medical doctor while he remains in custody.
According to charge sheet FHC/ABJ/CR/439/2026, the Federal Government accused Kaigama of committing offences under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Prosecutors alleged that between January and June 2026, he concealed information about the activities of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram despite allegedly possessing intelligence that could have helped security agencies prevent terrorist attacks.
The government also accused him of collecting and handling funds under the guise of negotiating the release of kidnap victims, alleging he knew the money would be used to finance terrorist organisations.
In another count, prosecutors alleged that Kaigama provided material and financial support to ISWAP and Boko Haram, while the fourth charge accused him of dealing in terrorist funds by possessing, facilitating and managing financial transactions allegedly linked to the two outlawed groups.
The charges were filed by lawyers representing the Department of State Services (DSS).
Kaigama, however, denied every allegation, setting the stage for what is expected to be a closely watched terrorism trial in September.
