UN Building Bombing: The Court provides a DSS request to the Commander of Ansaru, the trial accelerated by Al-Barnawi

Judge Emeka Nwite from the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Friday granted the request of the State Service Department (DSS) for the accelerated trial from a Terror Group Commander, Khalid Al-Barnawi, and four others.

The defendants were charged with the federal government for August 26, 2011, the bombing of the United Nations building in Abuja.

At least 20 people were killed and 76 others were injured in the attack, the first in an international organization in Nigeria.

DSS captured Al-Barnawi in Lokoja, Kogi State, in April 2016.

He stood tried on accusations related to terrorism along with alleged other group members.

Another defendant was Mohammed Bashir Saleh; Umar Mohammed Bello, alias Datti; Mohammed Salisu and Jacobu Nuhu, aka Bello Maishayi.

They were charged with members of the Ansaru terrorist group, also known as Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan.

The judge granted the request after the DSS lawyer, Alex Iziyon (SAN), told the court that the service was prepared for the determination of fast cases.

Also read: Punishment of the Ansaru Commander Court became 15 years in prison for illegal mining

In the application, which was not opposed by the defendant’s legal counsel, the parties would be allowed to watch the video footage presented by DSS to prove that statements outside the law given by the suspects were made voluntarily, as contrary to the claims of several defendants.

It is approved that the video clip will be played before the court registrant, and the parties will record, after that they will return to court on the next postponed date.

Judge Nwite postponed this issue until October 23 and October 24 for the continuation of the trial-in-trial.