2011 UN bombing: Court okays speedy trial of five

Court

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday granted an application by the Department of State Services for an accelerated hearing in the trial of five men accused of involvement in the August 26, 2011, bombing of the United Nations building in Abuja.

Justice Emeka Nwite granted the request after it was moved by prosecuting counsel, Alex Izinyon (SAN), who told the court that the matter had lingered for years.

He noted that the case had been in court for about nine years and urged the court to allow day-to-day hearings in line with the practice directions on terrorism and related cases.

Izinyon argued that it was in the interest of all parties for the case to be expeditiously determined.

Counsel for the defendants did not oppose the application, following which the court granted it.

The first defendant, Al-Barnawi, also known as Kafuri, Naziru, Alhaji Yahaya, Mallam Dauda and Alhaji Tanimu, is being prosecuted alongside Mohammed Bashir Saleh; Umar Mohammed Bello, also known as Datti and Mohammed Salisu; and Yakubu Nuhu, also known as Bello Maishayi.

During proceedings, a prosecution witness, identified as PW3, told the court that the DSS conducted its investigations professionally. Punch