The Federal Government, yesterday, arraigned four suspected members of Boko Haram sect before a Federal High Court in Lagos on terrorism-related charges.
The suspects, Adamu Mohammed, Mohammed Mustapha, Bura Hassaini and Mohammed Ibrahim, were said to have been arrested at Wasein area of Orile-Iganmu in Lagos by security forces, while planning to attack Kirikiri Prison.
The suspects, who were brought to the premises of the court at 8:30a.m. by officials of the Department of State Services, DSS, were arraigned before Justice Saliu Seidu on a three-count charge.
In count one, the suspects were said to have been arrested by a team of security agents for being members of proscribed terrorist organisation (Boko Haram), contrary to Section 2 of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act, 2011 and punishable under Section 2 (3) (1) read in conjunction with Section 33 (1) (b) of the Act as amended by the Terrorism (Prevention) (Proscription Order) Notice of 2013.
Planned Kirikiri attack
In count two, Adamu Mohammed and Mohammed Musta-pha were accused of conspiring with others now at large “on or about June 16, 2013 to commit felony to wit: act of terrorism by organising a planned attack of the Kirikiri Prison in Lagos to free your detained members.”
The offence is said to contravene Section 8 (1) (a) of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act, 2013 and punishable under Section 8 (1) of same Act.
They monitored security agents
In count three, Bura Hassaini was said to have, between 2012 and 2013, at Bama in BornoState, assisted the Boko Haram activities by monitoring the activities of security agents and reporting same via telephone to the leadership of the sect in the area headed by one Yamodu.
The monitoring process was said to have been set in motion by the sect members to evade arrest and investigation.
The charges were read in English Language but explained to the accused persons in Hausa.
They, however, pleaded not guilty after the charges were read to them, while the prosecutor from the Federal Ministry of Justice, E. K. Ugwu, applied for a trial date.
Ugwu further applied that the suspects be remanded in prison custody.
In a brief ruling, Justice Saidu ordered the suspects to be remanded in prison and fixed December 16 for trial.
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