The Nigeria Police Force has arraigned seven terror suspects yesterday (20th February, 2013) before the Federal High Court, Abuja. The suspects were identified as Usman Sani ,Abdulrahman Musa, Mahmud Mohammed , Kabir Mohammed , Umar Danjuma,Ibrahim MusaAbba and Abdullahi Lawan.
A statement by force spokesman Frank Mba said the arraignment is part of the renewed efforts to stamp out terror crimes in the country.The suspects who were arraigned on a 13-count Charge of various offences under the Terrorism Prevention Act, Law of the Federation of Nigeria, 2011, were alleged to have been behind the bombing and robbery of Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, Alkalari Branch in Bauchi State, on 8th July, 2011. The sum of N17,830,136 was said to have been stolen by the suspects from the Bank. The suspects were also accused of attacking and bombing the Alkaleri Divisional Police Headquarters. The seven suspects were further alleged to have attacked and robbed Intercontinental Bank and Guarantee Trust Bank, both in Azare of a total sum of N36,446,750. The charges indicated that the suspects at different operations, killed four persons, including three (3) Police officers. They were also charged with being in possession of assorted types of dangerous arms and IED materials.
The suspects could however, not take their plea as they had no legal representation before the court, a situation the Court considered fundamental to warrant the adjournment of the case to a date in April, to enable the suspects secure legal representation. The suspects are expected to take their plea when the Court resumes trial on the adjourned date – 10th April, 2013.
Meanwhile, the seven suspects have been remanded in prison custody to enable them secure the services of legal practitioners of their choice, in exercise of their fundamental human rights.
The Force also reassured the public that everything within its ability will be done, to ensure that the suspects are diligently and conclusively prosecuted; as this will serve as a deterrent to all criminally minded persons in the country. The Force appealed to well meaning Nigerians to assist security agencies, especially, the Nigeria Police, to volunteer useful information about the
activities of criminal groups or individuals, to assist in the fight against crime and criminality.
