Suspected Terrorists' Bid To Abort Trial Collapses

Suspected Terrorists' Bid To Abort Trial Collapses Nnamdi Felix / Abuja A Federal High Court siting in Abuja on Monday held that six suspected Boko Haram members accused of carrying out multiple bombings and killings in parts of the Federal Capital Territory and Suleja have a case to answer. The court's decision followed an application filed by the suspects for a no case submission which was calculated to scuttle their trial before the court where they are  standing trial on a five-counts charge of terrorism related offences. The suspects, Shuaibu Abubakar, Salisu Ahmed, Umar Babagana-Umar, Mohammed Ali, Musa Adam and Umar Ibrahim, in their application for a no case submission had claimed that the prosecution failed to establish any prima facie case against them. Lawyers to the suspects,Mr. Nuraini Suleiman and Mr. Kevin Emeka Okoro, had argued that the prosecution failed to establish any prima facie case against their clients and insisted that no evidence was placed before the court to link them to the alleged offences. In opposition to the application, the prosecutor, Mr. Thompson Olatigbe, averred that none of the evidence tendered by the prosecution was discredited during cross examination and insisted that all of the evidence placed before the court were reliable enough for a safe conviction of the accused persons and therefore urged the court to rule in favour of the prosecution and call on the accused persons to enter their defense. Ruling on the application, Justice Bilikisu Aliyu, dismissed the no-case submission and held that the prosecution has established a prima facie case against the suspects. According to the court, "after going through all the arguments, it must be noted at this point that the court is to look at all the evidence presented to decide if they are enough to establish a prima facie case against the accused persons in order to warrant them to enter a defence. The evidence of the prosecution has disclosed a prima facie case against the accused persons – the accused persons should enter their defence to give explanations if they so wish. The no-case submission is hereby dismissed”. Justice Aliyu however ordered the prison authorities to allow the suspected bombers' lawyers access to interact with them to enable them prepare for their defence. the matter was subsequently adjourned to 12th and 13th March for accused persons to enter their defence. The suspected terrorist were alleged to have caused the death of several persons through the use of improvised explosive devices at a political rally and at the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Suleja and Dakwa village in Bwari Area Council of Abuja.

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