The Department of State Services (DSS) has brought Samaila Kaigama before the Federal High Court in Abuja for a fresh arraignment over allegations of links to Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), including ransom collection and financial support for terrorism.

Following the arraignment on Tuesday, Justice Salim Ibrahim ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja.

Kaigama is facing seven charges bordering on alleged terrorism, failure to disclose information about terrorist activities, handling of ransom funds, cybercrime, incitement to public disorder and money laundering.

According to the prosecution, the defendant allegedly established unauthorised contact with members of Boko Haram and ISWAP and negotiated ransom payments in July 2026.

The Federal Government further accused him of withholding information about the activities of the terrorist groups that could have aided security agencies in investigating and prosecuting those involved.

In another allegation, Kaigama was accused of receiving ransom money from the family of a hostage despite allegedly knowing that the funds could be used to finance terrorism.

The prosecution also alleged that he solicited and coordinated financial contributions from families of abducted persons to support members of ISWAP.

The charge further stated that Kaigama allegedly used WhatsApp, including a group identified as BOSYA, and Facebook to request ransom payments from victims' relatives for onward transfer to terrorists.

The alleged transactions reportedly caused the hostage's family to lose ₦1.8 million.

Kaigama was also accused of mobilising members of affected communities to protest against Senator Ali Ndume and the Borno State Government, an action the prosecution described as an attempt to incite public disorder.

The final count alleges that he knowingly retained ₦1.8 million paid into his account by the hostage's family, contrary to provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The charges were filed under relevant provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, the Cybercrimes Act and the Criminal Code Act.

The court adjourned the case until November 13, 2026, for further proceedings.