FG Arraigns Six For terrorism

ABUJA, SEPTEMBER 30, (THEWILL) - Federal government arraignment of suspected Boko Haram Islamic fundamentalists continued on Friday before an Abuja Federal High Court with another batch of six members alleged to have been involved in the perpetration of various acts of terrorism. The suspects, who could receive life sentences if convicted, all pleaded not guilty to the five-count charge preferred against them.

The suspects, Shuaibu Abubakar, Aalisu Ahmed, Umar Babagana, Mohammed Ali, Musa Adam and Umar Ibrahim were among eight others earlier arraigned before a Chief Magistrate Court in Abuja for similar offences. Information on the absence of the other two was not immediately available.

The suspects were accused of committing acts of terrorism by killing 16 people at the Suleja office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Niger State, through an improvised explosive device on March 3, 2011. They were also accused of committing acts of terrorism by killing three people through the use of an improvised explosive device on March 3, 2011 at a political rally in Suleja, Niger State.

Government also accused the suspects of causing the explosion of improvised explosive device on May 23, 2011, killing three persons in Dakna village, Bwari. They were further alleged to have engaged in acts of terrorism at various locations in Suleja, Niger State; Azare, Nasarawa State; and the Federal Capital Territory, by training persons now at large in the use of arms and ammunition, and by preparing, planting and detonating improvised explosive devices for the purpose of terrorism, contrary to Section 15(2) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Establishment Act 2004.

The trial judge, Justice Bilkisu Aliyu, adjourned the case to October 20 and 21 because the charges were not given to the suspects in advance, but ordered their remandment in the custody of the State Security Service (SSS).