The victims of Nyanya bombing mark 11 years without justice

More than a decade after the devastating twin bombings in Nyanya, Abuja, who killed over 75 people and wounded hundreds, victims and their families are still waiting for justice.

The case, which began in 2014, dragged on for 11 years with repeated updates, calapase of the prosecutor and systemic inefficiencies. Critics say that prolonged delay reflects the chronic weakness of the Nigeria judicial system in managing the cases related to terrorism.

Although several suspicions have been arrested and accused, including the alleged mind, Aminu Ogwuche, no conclusion has been reached. Ogwuche and six others face accusations of terrorism, conspiracy and support for Boko Haram. However, the process has been updated almost 100 times.

Legal experts describe both tragic and avoidable delay. The specialist of Criminal Law YeMisi Lawal said that the case of Nyanya is a painful reminder of how the judicial system constantly fails the victims. He underlined that frequent updates, teams of poorly prepared judicial proceedings and the transfer of judges-performant of cases to restart important obstacles from zero-rings.

Another lawyer, favor of Okonkwo, asked for the establishment of special terrorist courts with dedicated judges and rigorous timing. “If Nigeria can create anti -corruption courts, it can also establish terrorism courts. These cases are too sensitive to be treated as ordinary criminal processes,” he said.

The administration of the Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), issued in 2015 to guarantee quick processes, has done very little to change the situation due to the poor implementation. The legal analyst Kosun Bako claimed that inadequate funding, lack of forensic support and weak mechanisms for protecting witnesses have paralyzed the efforts of judicial proceedings. He recommended a dedicated fund for processes to terrorism and a stronger political will to advance cases.

For the families of the victims, the delays deepen their pain. Stella Ibegbunam, who lost his sister in the attack, said that every update reopens old wounds. “We want justice not in paradise but here on earth. Delayed justice is denied justice and, in cases of terrorism, it undermines national security,” he said.

The defendants also expressed frustration. Ogwuche, who was repatriated from Sudan in 2014 to face the accusations, recently protested that the case had undergone infinite delays and asked the Court to hit for lack of a diligent judicial proceeding. According to reports, a co-accused thought of changing his reason in “guilt” just to end his prolonged detention.

In September 2024, the Prosecutor General of the Lateef Fagbemi Federation announced his intention to introduce national minimum standards for the implementation of ACJA, aimed at harmonizing test procedures across the country. But with challenges such as sub -analyzing, poor coordination and limited training, progress remains slow.

While the trial resumes on September 23 before judge Peter Lifu of the Federal Court, Abuja, the unresolved case of Nyanya represents a clear reminder of the urgent need of Nigeria for judicial reforms to guarantee timely and fair trials in cases of terrorism.

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