Nigeria Police Arraign Seven Suspects On Terrorism Charges

The Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday adjourned until April 10 the trial of seven terror suspects.

Usman  Sani, Abdulrahman Musa, Mahmud Mohammed, Kabir Mohammed, Umar Danjuma, Ibrahim Musa Abba  and Abdullahi Lawan are facing a 13-count charge of various offences under the Terrorism Prevention Act of 2011.

According to a press statement by police spokesman Frank E. Mba, the suspects were responsible for the bombing and robbery of the Alkalari, Bauchi State branch of Union Bank of Nigeria July 8, 2011, during which they stole nearly N18 million.

They are also accused of attacking and bombing the Alkaleri Divisional Police Headquarters, as well as attacking and robbing two banks: Intercontinental Bank and Guarantee Trust Bank in Azare, stealing a total of N36,446,750.

The police further allege that the suspects killed four persons, including three police officers, and were in possession of assorted types of dangerous arms and IED materials.

At their arraignment, the court could not take the plea of the suspects, as none of them had a lawyer.   The court therefore adjourned proceedings in order to enable them secure legal representation.   They will remain in prison custody until then.  

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 hereby reassures 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 police said, appealing to well-meaning Nigerians to assist security agencies by volunteering useful information about the activities of criminal groups or individuals.

Nigerian Senate Endorses Death Sentence for Terrorists

The Nigerian Senate yesterday unanimously endorsed the death penalty for any person engaged in acts of terrorism in the country. The penalties were contained in a conference report on a Bill for an Act to amend the Terrorism (Prevention) Act, 2011 and for other related matters.

The Nation writes that the report was earlier stepped down because some senators opposed the designation of the Office of the National Security Adviser(NSA) to co-ordinate counter terrorism. But yesterday, the Clause was retained as part of the Act.

According to provisions of the bill, it prohibits “all acts of terrorism and financing of terrorism”.

It also states that “A person or body corporate who knowingly in or outside Nigeria directly or indirectly willingly; does, attempts or threatens any act of terrorism or commits an act preparatory to or in furtherance of an act of terrorism; or omits to do anything that is reasonably necessary to prevent an act of terrorism or assists or facilitates the activities of persons engaged in an act of terrorism or is an accessory to any offence under this Act or participates as an accomplice in or contributes to offences under the Act, assists, facilitates, organises or directs the activities of persons or organisation engaged in any act of terrorism or is an accessory to any act of terrorism; incites, promises or induces any other person by any means whatsoever to commit any act of terrorism or any of the offences referred to in this Act commits an offence under this Act and is liable on conviction to maximum of death sentence.”

Earlier, the Senate version prescribed life imprisonment for offences under the Clause while the House of Representatives’ version prescribed death penalty.

The report said after deliberation, the House’s version of death penalty for acts of terrorism was adopted

Nigerian 'Big Brother' Singing Sensation Susan ‘Goldie’ Harvey Is Dead-TheNation

Goldie Harvey (born Susan Oluwabimpe Harvey on October 23, 1983), is dead.
She died in a Lagos hospital last night, shortly after returning from the United States. The British-Nigerian pop artiste on the label of Kennis Music, represented Nigeria in last year’s edition of Big Brother Africa (BBA).
Confirming her death last night, a report on Linda Ikeji’s blog said: “I’m in shock. Just got a call from her best friend and my close friend, Denrele Edun. He told me Goldie died a few minutes ago in his arms at Reddington Hospital in Victoria Island.
“Goldie just came back from the US today, he said, and was so full of life, then something went tragically wrong.”
She had her early education in Lagos, first Green Springs Montessori Primary School and and then St. John’s College, Palm Grove, Lagos before studying Business Management (B.Arts) at the University of Sunderland.
Goldie began her career in 2006 releasing her debut album “Spin Me” with four tracks which include ‘Komole’, ‘Nothing Has Changed’, ‘Shift’ and ‘Spin Me’. Goldie now has two singles ‘You Know It’ featuring eldee da don which is on Nigerian top charts and ‘DJ Play On’.