The trial of the four alleged masterminds of the August 20, 2011 bomb attack on the United Nations (UN) building in Abuja has been stalled, following the inability of the Federal Government’s prosecution team to tender the necessary material evidence and witnesses in court.
The accused persons, Salisu Mohammed, Inusa Mukailu, Danzumi Haruna and Abdulsalami Adamu, were arrested in Kano and are standing trial on a four-count charge of acts that border on terrorism.
About 23 persons lost their lives as a result of the attack that took place at about 10:25 hours at the United Nations House, Diplomatic Drive, Abuja.
The matter, which came up for hearing before Justice Gladys Olotu of the Federal High Court, Abuja after series of attempts to prosecute the four suspects had failed, was subsequently adjourned to October 9 and 10, 2013 for hearing.
“My Lord, I am afraid, I am a little bit handicapped because we were unable to put our house in order. The letter we wrote to the police requesting the materials and other exhibits could not get to them on time. In view of this little constraint, I ask for a short adjournment to enable us put our house in order” the prosecution counsel prayed the court.
Though, she was able to bring one witness, Mr Ibrahim Agu, the prosecution further told the court that the other one being expected to come and testify is a Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Jos.
“We are bringing two witnesses in this case, one is here but the other one is in Jos and we have sent signal to him,” the prosecution added.
The four-count charge preferred against the accused persons by the Federal Government reads as follows:
“That you Salihu Mohammed (M)of 97 Abala street Sabon Ring road Fagae Kano, Inusa Mikailu (M) of Charachi quarters Kumbotso Kano, Donzumi Haruna (M) of Gunduwa village Gezawa Kano and you Abdulsalami Adamu (M) of Rijia Lemu, Titi Jajura Kano, on or about the 20th day August 2011 at about 10.25 hours at the United Nation House Diplomatic Drive Abuja within the jurisdiction of this honourable court agreed to do an illegal act which resulted to the death of 23 persons and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 96 (A) of the Penal Code Law and punishable under Section 97 (1) of the same code.
“That you Salihu Mohammed (M)of 97 Abala street Sabon Ring road Fagae Kano, Inusa Mikailu (M) of Charachi quarters Kumbotso Kano, Donzumi Haruna (M) of Gunduwa village Gezawa Kano and you Abdulsalami Adamu (M) of Rijia Lemu, Titi Jajura Kano, and others at large on or about the 20th day of August 2011 knowingly assisted and facilitated the activities of persons engaged in an act of terrorism and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1) (c) of the Terrorism Prevention Act 2011 and punishable under Section 33 (1)(a) and (e) of same Act.
“That you Salihu Mohammed (M)of 97 Abala street Sabon Ring road Fagae Kano, Inusa Mikailu (M) of Charachi quarters Kumbotso Kano, Donzumi Haruna (M) of Gunduwa village Gezawa Kano and you Abdulsalami Adamu (M) of Rijia Lemu, Titi Jajura Kano, and others at large on or about the 20th day of August 2011 deliberately and maliciously did n act that seriously damaged an international organization and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(2)(a) of theTerrorism Prevention Act 2011 and punishable under Section 33 (1)(a) and (e) of same Act.
“That you Salihu Mohammed (M)of 97 Abala street Sabon Ring road Fagae Kano, Inusa Mikailu (M) of Charachi quarters Kumbotso Kano, Donzumi Haruna (M) of Gunduwa village Gezawa Kano and you Abdulsalami Adamu (M) of Rijia Lemu, Titi Jajura Kano, and others at large on or about the 20th day of August 2011 were involved in the release of dangerous substance that caused explosion endangering 23 human lives at the United Nation Building and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(2)(c)(vi) of the Terrorism Prevention Act 2011 and punishable Section 33 (1)(b) and (e) of same Act”.
