Boko Haram: Court begins trial of suspects Nov 18

Posted by admin Latest Politics Thursday, October 27th, 2011

A Federal High Court sitting has fixed November 18, 2011 to begin definite trial of the six persons alleged to be members of an Islamist sect, Boko Haram, responsible for the bombing of the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Suleja, Niger State on March 3, 2011.

The suspects, Shuaibu Abubakar, Salisu Ahmed, Umar Babagana, Mohammed Ali, Musa Adam and Umar Ibrahim had pleaded not guilty to the five-count charge preferred against them by the State Security Service (SSS).
When the matter came up yesterday, counsel representing the six accused persons prayed the court for time to look into the proof of evidence served on them on Tuesday by the prosecution.

The trial Judge, Justice Bilkisu Aliyu, after listening to the submissions of the counsel, adjourned the case to November 18 for trial and ordered that the accused persons be remanded in the custody of the State Security Service.
The suspects were arraigned by the SSS for allegedly committing acts of terrorism by causing the death of 16 persons at the INEC office in Suleja, Niger State through an improvised explosive device on March 3.

The accused persons were also alleged to have, on the same day, committed acts of terrorism by causing the explosion of improvised explosive device at a political rally in Suleja, Niger State, which resulted in the death of three persons.
They are also accused of causing the explosion of improvised explosive device on May 23, which resulted in the death of three peace officers in Dakwa village in Bwari Area Council of Abuja.

It was further alleged that the accused persons, at various locations in Suleja, Niger State, Azare, Nasarawa State and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) engaged in acts of terrorism by training persons now at large in the use of arms and ammunition and the preparation, planting and detonation of improvised explosive devices for the purpose of terrorism contrary to Section 15(2) of the EFCC Establishment Act 2004, which stipulates a life sentence upon conviction.

-Sunwp_posts