The Nigerian government reopens the trial from the alleged puppeteer

For the second time, the Federal government has opened its case against Aminu Ogwuche and five of which were accused of regulating twin bombings April 14, 2014 in Nyanya Motor Park in Abuja, which claimed more than 70 lives and injured dozens of others.

During the trial which was continued on Monday before judge Peter Lifu from the Federal High Court, Abuja, legal advisor, David Kasue told the court that the previous order provided protection for witnesses in the case. He asked only a legal team and accredited media members permitted in the courtroom.

Judge Lifu, however, refused to exclude a group of law students who attended the gallery, said they were in court for educational purposes and must be allowed to observe the process.

After this, the Witness of the first prosecution (PW1) was brought to court with his identity hidden by masks and hoods. Defense Advisor, Bpk. Nureni Jimoh, San, initially opposed the hiding, but allowed the testimony to continue after the witness insisted he could not testify without protection.

Led in evidence by Kasue, witness, who revealed that he had served in the State Service Department (DSS) for 23 years, telling how the defendant was arrested, including the arrest and extradition of Ogwuche, the first defendant, from Sudan.

He stated: “What caused his arrest was that on the 3rd defendant interview, Mohammed Ishaq, he described an individual who supported them financially – that person was identified as supporters of Boko Haram.

Jimoh objected to witness references to Ogwuche deportation, with the reason that such claims require supporting documentation. The prosecution responds by quoting part 7 of the law, maintaining that oral testimony of deportation is needed and relevant.

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Judge Lifu ordered a decision regarding the acceptance of deportation to the final assessment.

The DSS officer continued his testimony, stating that the identification of Ogwuche was confirmed by the 3rd defendant, who described it as “amen,” a native of the central belt who often visited a mosque in Utako and became close to the leader of Boko Haram known, Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, was also known as Dr. Tsiga.

He added, “The 3rd defendant revealed that he and Dr. Tsiga, who remained free, driving a car that was cheated by explosives to the El Rufai Park and left it there overnight.”

The witness further testified that Ogwuche then made a statement that illustrates how he was involved with a terrorist group: “He made a question about meeting sects in Utako and believed they fought for a just God.”

However, when the prosecution asked for a written statement the defendant before the court, they could not be taken immediately. Judge Lifu blamed the prosecution failure to give prior notice to the clerk and postpone the case until July 24 for the continuation of the trial.

The Defendants – Aminu Ogwuche (aka Abu Ibrahim/Maiturare), Mohammed Ishaq, Ya’u Saidu (aka Kofar Rama), Anas Isah, and Adamu Yusuf – faced accusations of terrorism related to the deadly explosion 2014.

Initially handled by judge Ahmed Mohammed, the case was moved to the Lifu judge after Mohammed’s height to the appeal court. The trial has experienced a number of setbacks due to the absence of recurring prosecution, encouraging a strong warning and ultimatum from the court that the case risks the dismissal if the pattern continues.