Table of Contents
- Trial Begins for Terror Suspects
- Impact of the Bombing
- Suspects' Statements
- Allegations of Coercion
- Court Proceedings
- Testimony from Witnesses
- Background of the Case
The Federal High Court in Abuja has initiated a trial-within-a-trial to assess the voluntariness of the statements made by five terror suspects connected to the 2011 bombing of the United Nations House in Abuja.
More than 20 Nigerians employed at the UN Building lost their lives, and over 70 others sustained injuries during the bombing.
After their arrest, the five suspects associated with the terrorist attacks provided statements to operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) detailing their individual roles in the attacks.
However, at the start of their trial, the suspects claimed that their statements were obtained under duress, coercion, and intimidation. This led the presiding judge, Emeka Nwite, to mandate a trial-within-a-trial to verify the legitimacy of the suspects' allegations.
During the resumed proceedings, lawyers representing both the prosecution and the defense confirmed that they had jointly reviewed video recordings of the defendants’ interrogations in the presence of court officials.
The Department of State Services (DSS) also informed the court that masked witnesses would testify during the trial-within-a-trial to address the defendants’ claims of coercion in obtaining their statements.
This development followed an earlier ruling by Justice Emeka Nwite, who granted the DSS’s request for an expedited trial in this protracted terrorism case.
The trial involves Khalid Al-Barnawi, who is alleged to be the mastermind behind the August 26, 2011 bombing of the UN building, which resulted in the deaths of over 20 individuals and injuries to more than 70 others.
Al-Barnawi was arrested in 2016 in Lokoja, Kogi State, by the DSS and is accused of leading a faction of the Boko Haram group known as Ansaru.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the trial-within-a-trial?
The trial-within-a-trial aims to determine the voluntariness of the statements made by the suspects, as they allege these were obtained under duress, coercion, and intimidation.
What was the outcome of the bombing?
The bombing resulted in the deaths of over 20 Nigerians working at the UN Building and injured more than 70 others.
What are the allegations made by the suspects?
The suspects allege that their statements were coerced through duress and intimidation during their interrogations.
