Judge’s absence stalls trial of Boko Haram suspects

THE scheduled arraignment of  17 suspected Boko Haram members charged with acts of terrorism was stalled before a Federal High Court in Lagos, on Wednesday, due to the absence of the assigned judge, Justice Musa Kurya.
The nine suspected Boko Haram members are Ali Mohammed, Adamu Karumi, Ibrahim Usman, Bala Haruna, Idris Ali, Mohammed Murtala, Kadiri Mohammed, Mustapha Daura, Abba Duguri, Sanni Adamu, Danjuma Yahaya, Musa Audu, Mati Daura, Farouk Haruna, Abdullahi Azeez, Ibrahim Bukar and Zula Diani.
They are facing eight count charges of conspiracy and acts of terrorism made against them by the Federal Government.
The arraignment and trial has consequently been fixed for October 9 and 10.
It will be recalled that at the last hearing of the matter, the defendants’ plea were not taken due to the absence of an interpreter to read the charge to them in the language they understand.
The accused persons were alleged to have carried out the alleged offence on March 21, 2013, at Plot 5, Road 69, Lekki Phase 1 Housing Estate, and No. 24 Oyegbeni Street, Ijora Oloye Apapa, Lagos.
They were also alleged to have been in possession of three packets of explosive construction pipes, 15 detonators and 11 AK 47 rifles loaded with 30 rounds of life ammunitions.
The prosecution also told the court that about 200 rounds of 7.6 mm life ammunition, two suit cases containing explosives and one water container, also habouring explosives, were recovered from the accused.
According to prosecution counsel, the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary of Lagos Ministry of Justice, Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN), the alleged offences contravened the provisions of Sections 1, 8, 27 (1) (a), and (b) of the Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Cap F28, Laws of the Federation, 2004.
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