Four Arraigned For UN House Bombing

ABUJA, SEPTEMBER 16, (THEWILL) - Four Boko Haram members suspected to have been involved in the August 26 bombing of the Abuja national headquarters of the United Nations were yesterday arraigned before an Abuja Magistrate Court.

The foursome — Salisu Mohammed, Inusa Mukailu, Danzunu Haruna and Abdulsalam Adamu — was among a total of 19 suspected Boko haram members charged for planting explosives in different places within Abuja. Surprisingly, the Magistrate, Mr. Azubike Okeagu, declined jurisdiction to try the accused persons, who were alleged to be involved in crimes ranging from bombings, armed robbery and murder to illegal possession of fire arms and explosives.

In declining jurisdiction, Okeagu said his court did not have powers to try such offences. But he ordered the remandment of the accused in prison custody, pending their trial in an appropriate court.

The First Information Report (FIR) read by the Police prosecutor, Chijioke Okolie, reads: “Mischief and culpable homicide punishable with death contrary to sections 327 and 221 of the Penal Code Law on 26-8-11 at about 1025hrs. You Salisu Mohammed, Inusa Mukailu, Danzuni Haruna and Abdulsalami Adamu “m” of Kano State conspired among yourselves and sent a suicide bomber in a CRV SUV with Reg No: Av 38 NSR loaded with explosives to forcefully drive into United Nations House in Abuja and detonate the explosives killing 25 persons while others sustained injuries. You are thereby suspected to have committed the above offences.” The offences were deemed to have contravened to sections 1(1) (2)(a) and 3 (1) of the Fire Arms Act Cap 398 LFN, 2004.

Another set of six accused persons, Shehu Ladan, Raboji Garuba, Ahmadu Maiya, Nasiru Ali, Samaila Yusuf and Umaru Mohammed were accused of mischief and illegal possession of fire arms and belonging to unlawful society contrary to Sections 3 (1) of Fire Arms Act cap 398 LFN 2004 and Section 97 Penal Code respectively.

A seventh suspect, Suleiman Mohammed, was accused of mischief and culpable homicide punishable with death contrary to Sections 327 and 221 of the Penal Code. He was arrested with a list of police personnel in police station in Bauchi State. He was also accused to have been involved in several police station bombings, resulting in the death of several policemen and civilians within Maiduguri, Yobe and Bauchi States.

Another suspect, Aminu Hussein was charged with mischief, culpable homicide punishable with death and illegal possession of fire arms contrary to Sections 327, 221 of Penal Code and Section 3(1) of the Robbery and Fire Arms Act cap 398 LFN 2004 as amended respectively. He was alleged to have colluded with others at large to attack police stations, killing policemen in Maiduguri, Gombe and Bauchi. He was also accused of bombing Army Barracks in Bauchi and Sanni the Abacha barracks, Abuja, killing scores of innocent people.

Misbau Mohammed was charged with illegal possession of explosives and firearms with which he attacked and bombed Alkaleri police station in Bauchi and destroyed property and vehicles. Also, he was accused of robbing Unity Bank, Bauchi, where he allegedly killed a police officer, Muntuwa Duniya and made away with his AK 47 riffle.

The last two accused persons, Biliaminu Bashiru and Yusuf Abdullahi, were accused of illegal possession of firearms and attempting to carry out bomb attacks in Kaduna.

After listening to the FIR and the magistrate stated the court’s inappropriateness for the trial, the court till November 3, and the accused were whisked away from the court under tight security, in two police Toyota Hiace buses with registration numbers NPF 724 C and NPF 725C.