The State Security Service (SSS) on Friday arraigned six suspected members of the Boko Haram sect for their involvement in bomb attacks across Nigeria. The suspects, who appeared before the Federal High Court, Abuja, are Shuaibu Abubakar, Salisu Ahmed, Umar Babagana-Umar, Mohamed Ali, Musa Adam and Umar Ibrahim. The Prosecutor, Mr Thompson Olatigbe, who brought a five-count charge against them, said that “on or about April 8 at Suleja, Niger, Ahmed, Adam, Babagana-Umar and Ibrahim, committed an act of terrorism by planting an improvised explosive devise at INEC office’’.
He said the explosive exploded causing the death of 16 persons and damaging public property.
The prosecutor said the suspects committed an offence contrary to Section 15 (2) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act 2004 and punishable under the law.
He also said that “Abubakar and Adam on or about March 3, committed an act of terrorism by causing the explosion of improvised explosive device at a political rally in Suleja, which resulted to the death of three persons’’.
Olatigbe said the accused persons committed an offence contrary to Section 15 (2) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Act 2004 and punishable under the law.
He further said that “Abubakar, Adam, Babagana-Umar, Ali and Ibrahim on May 23, at Dakna Village, Bwari, FCT, did commit an act of terrorism by causing the explosion of improvised explosive device resulting to the death of three Peace Corps Officers.
“The accused persons committed an offence contrary to Section 15 (2) of the EFCC Act 2004 and punishable under the same Section of the Act.
“Ahmed, Adam, Babagana-Umar, Ali and Ibrahim on July 10, did commit an act of terrorism by causing the explosion of improved explosive device at the All Christian Fellowship, Suleja, resulting in the death of three persons and injuries to many other persons.
“The accused thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15 (2) of the EFCC Act 2004 and punishable under the same Section of the Act.
“Ahmed, Adam, Babagana-Umar, Ali and Ibrahim between June 4 and July 12, at various locations in Suleja, Niger, Nasarawa State and FCT, did engage in an act of terrorism by encouraging through training of persons now at large.’’
The prosecutor said the accused persons provided training to persons now at large in the use of arms and ammunition as well as preparation, planting and detonation of improvised explosive devices for the purpose of terrorism.
The accused who took their plea after the charge was read, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Justice Bilikisu Aliyu, however, ordered that the suspects be remanded in the custody of the SSS and adjourned the matter to between Oct. 20 and Oct. 21 for actual trial.