The State Security Service (SSS) on Friday arraigned an alleged Boko
Haram suspect, Kabiru Umar aka Kabiru Sokoto, at the Federal High Court,
Abuja.
Umar was arraigned in connection with the Christmas Day bombing of
the St.Theresa Catholic Church, Madalla in Niger State in 2011.
`Kabiru Sokoto’ is alleged to have had information about the bombing but failed to inform law enforcement agents.
The accused was charged for allegedly being a member of a terrorist
group known as Boko Haram between 2007 and 2012 at Mabira Sokoto in
Sokoto State.
He was also allegedly found to have facilitated the execution of a terrorist act within the period.
The charge read that the suspect committed an offence contrary to
Section 4(1) (a) of the Terrorism and Prevention Act 2011 and punishable
under Section 33(1) (b) of the same Act.
According to the charge, the suspect committed an offence contrary to
Section 15(2) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act 2004.
The two count-charge attracts life sentence, but the accused pleaded not guilty.
Justice Adetokunbo Ademola ordered that both the prosecution and
defence counsel had until April 26 to file all related processes in
respect of the case.
Ademola turned down an attempt by the defence counsel, Mr Adamu
Ibrahim, to move an oral bail application for “Sokoto”, but granted his
request that the accused be transferred from SSS custody to Kuje Prison.
He advised Ibrahim to reapply for bail by way of a written
application, adding “you reserve the right to seek bail for your client
but you have to come formally before the court in view of the nature of
the offence”.
The hearing in the case has been adjourned to between May 2 and May 9.
The initial attempt for “Sokoto” to be arraigned in court on March 20
was stalled because of the absence of the defence counsel. (NAN)
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