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.
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