Nigeria, July 20 -- Two suspected senior commanders of the Ansaru terrorist group, on Monday, pleaded guilty to a 32-count terrorism charge before the Federal High Court in Abuja after months of contesting the case.

The defendants, Mahmud Usman (also known as Abu Bara'a, Abbas and Mukhtar), identified by the prosecution as the self-styled Emir of Ansaru, and Abubakar Abba (also known as Mahmud al-Nigeri and Malam Mamuda), alleged to be the group's deputy leader and chief of staff, changed their pleas before Judge Emeka Nwite.

Their lawyer, Bala Dakum, told the court that, after consulting with the defendants, they had decided to abandon their earlier pleas and admit the charges.

"After consultation with the defendants, my lord, they ha...