Suspected UN building bombers arraigned

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Federal Government on Tuesday arraigned four persons suspected to have masterminded the bomb attack on the United Nations headquarters in Abuja

The suspects, Salisu Mohammed, Inusa Mukailu, Danzumi Haruna and Abdulsalami Adamu, were arraigned before an Abuja Federal High Court on four counts of terrorism.

They were accused of conspiring with others at large, on or about the August 20, 2011, to commit an which resulted in the death of 23 persons, an offence contrary to Section 96(a) of the Penal Code Law.

They were alleged to have knowingly facilitated the activities of persons engaged in an act of terrorism.

On count three of the charge, the suspects were alleged to have deliberately and maliciously committed an act that seriously damaged an international organisation, thereby running foul of the Terrorism Prevention Act, 2011.

They were also accused of being involved in the release of dangerous substances that caused explosion endangering 23 lives at the UN building, an offence that runs contrary to the provisions of the Terrorism Prevention Act, 2011.

But the accused persons denied the charges.

At the commencement of the hearing, a Chief State Counsel, Mrs. I. Ideva, applied that the charges be read to the suspects but they suspects claimed that they did not understand the English Language.

A court interpreter had to be invited to interpret proceedings to them in Hausa Language before their pleas were taken.

The accused persons all pleaded not guilty to the charge.

On August 20, 2011, a suicide bomb attack rocked the UN in building.

Apart from those who lost their lives, about 73 others including members of  staff of the UN, visitors and workers of private businesses in the building sustained injuries during the attack.

The suspects, were arraigned on Tuesday, were arrested in September 2012 and dragged before an Abuja  magistrates court where they were charged with organising the bombing.

After the suspects had taken their plea, Ideva applied for a date for the trial noting that the prosecution’s witnesses were ready to give evidence.

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