DSS explains delay in trial of Abuja UN bombing suspects

By Monday Ijeh

The Department of State Services (DSS) has said five suspects arrested over August 26, 2011 bombing of UN building, Abuja are still being prosecuted.

The bombing of the UN building led to the death of 20 people with more than 70 others injured.

Favour Dozie, Deputy Director, Public Relations and Strategic Communications of the DSS gave an update on the trial of the terror suspects in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

She, however, blamed delay of terrorism suspects on legal and procedural issues.

According to the DSS deputy director, said that the trial had been delayed for an extended period due to legal and procedural issues, including the suspects being occasionally brought to court without counsel appearing for them.

”The DSS recently requested the court to grant accelerated hearing in the case, a request Justice Emeka Nwite granted.

”On Oct. 23 and 24, a trial-within-trial was conducted, during which videos of the defendants’ confessional statements were played in the courtroom.”

Dozie added that Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja would on Nov. 19 continue the trial of two terrorism suspects who were wanted internationally.

The DSS deputy director, public relations and strategic communication explained that the suspects were arrested in a high-risk, intelligence-led, counter-terrorism operation in July by operatives of the DSS after several months of chasing.

Dozie said that the two suspects were believed to be leaders of the Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan, commonly known as ANSARU, Nigeria’s Al-Qaeda affiliate.

”One of the suspects, a self-styled Emir of ANSARU, allegedly coordinated various terrorist sleeper cells across Nigeria.

”He is also believed to have masterminded several high-profile kidnappings and robberies, the proceeds of which were used to finance terrorism over the years.

”The second suspect, chief of staff and deputy to the first suspect is alleged to have led the so-called “Mahmudawa” cell, which operated around the Kainji National Park.

”The cell is located on the border between the states of Niger and Kwara, as well as the Republic of Benin,” Dozie said.

The DSS deputy director, public relations and strategic communication, further said that the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), in a statement on Aug. 16, claimed that one of the suspects received training in Libya between 2013 and 2015.

According to Dozie the training was under foreign jihadist instructors from Egypt, Tunisia, and Algeria.

The DSS deputy director, public relations and strategic communication also said that the two suspects were being tried on a 32-count terrorism charge with one of the counts related to illegal mining.

Dozie also revealed that the DSS on Aug. 11, arraigned five suspects before a Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged involvement in the June 5, 2022 attack at St. Francs Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State.

”The suspects were arrested over the attack that led to the death of over 40 people and over 100 others injured were arraigned on a nine-count terrorism charge.

”Their charges include being members of Al Shabab terrorist group, with cell in Kogi, and carrying out the attack in furtherance of their religious ideology among others.

(NAN)