"Nine suspects accused of carrying out a deadly June 13 attack on Yelwata community in Nigeria's central Benue state that killed about 150 people appeared before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, pleading not guilty to a 57-count indictment. Prosecutors said they are preparing forensic evidence as the trial moves forward amid public calls for accountability. Footage shows suspects arriving in court and walking in handcuffs, lawyers entering the courtroom, as well as locals walking outside of the Federal High Court premises. "Requests we made today was that the first defendant who has suffered stroke should be referred to a specialist so that he will be treated and continue to stand trial," counsel to the first defendant, Ibrahim Angulu, said. "The court was of the opinion that we should make it the next adjourned date by way of motion. So we will comply." Atiku Lawal, son of one of the suspects, questioned the arrest of his father claiming that the accused was not present in the area where the incident took place. "He has nobody in Benue State. And he doesn't have any problem with anybody in Benue State. And then how can police just come and arrest him and say that he held a meeting in his office," he said. Court filings allege the defendants held planning meetings, raised funds, procured weapons and mobilised fighters across several states ahead of the attack. It was stated that alleged ringleader Ardo Lawal Mohammed Dono and others met in neighbouring Nasarawa state to raise cash, issue orders and recruit fighters. Blessing Jonathan, whose cousin was kidnapped with her husband and two children, said "they have to pay a lot of money, millions before they were released from them. And I know how we felt to gather that money." "As a mother, I felt so bad about it," she said, describing families returning to find their children killed. "You go there, you see the bones of your children that are roasted. I mean, it's very, very bad." Nigeria has faced pressure to restore security, including criticism from US President Donald Trump. Nigerian authorities say they are cooperating with Washington to improve security. Benue is located in Nigeria's volatile Middle Belt, a fault line between the Muslim north and Christian south, where years of violence over land, religion and ethnicity have challenged authorities."