FG Slams Fresh Charges Against Nyanya Bomber, Six Others

BEVERLY HILLS, February 06, (THEWILL) – Fresh charges were on Friday slammed against the suspected mastermind of the April 14, 2014 Nyanya bombing in Abuja, Aminu Sadiq Ogwuche, and six others, by the Federal Government as they were brought before Justice Ahmed Ramat Mohammed of a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja .

Another judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Adeniyi Ademola had struck out an earlier charge against Ogwuche late last year for lack of diligent prosecution.

But their trial could not begin as expected on Friday because five of them couldn't immediately get lawyers to represent them.

The suspects brought before Justice Mohammed on Friday were Ogwuche, Akhmad Rufai Abubakar (aka Abu Ibrahim/Maitirare), Mohammed Sani Ishaq, Ya'u Saidu (aka Kofar Rama), Anas Isah, Adamu Yusuf and Nasiru Abubakar.

The main suspect, Ahmed Rufai Abubakar (aka Dr Tsiga), said to have driven the explosives-laden Volkswagen Golf car, used for the bombing, could not be brought to court as he had since absconded.

The accused are currently facing a fresh seven counts charge bordering on conspiracy, engaging in act of terrorism, belonging to Boko Haram, an outlawed group and refusal to disclose to security agencies, information that would have helped them to prevent act of terrorism.

According to the new charge sheet, Ogwuche was, in count six, accused of backing a terrorist group by giving money at different times and places in Abuja to the widows of members of Boko Haram.

Ogwuche and Abubakar (aka Dr Tsiga) were, in count seven, accused carrying out “surveillance and identified Silverbird Galleria and other locations as potential targets of terrorist attack.”

They were said to have committed offences contrary to and punishable under sections 1(2)(a) &(b), 5(b),8(b) 16, 17 of the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act 2013.

When they were brought to court on Friday, the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Mohammed Saidu Diri, effected some amendments to the fresh charge though counsel to Ogwuche and Isah, Ahmed Raji (SAN) and Abdulhamid Mohammed, respectively , did not object to the amendments.

Justice Mohammed has therefore adjourned to February 20 for the possible arraignment of the accused persons.