The 17 suspected members of the proscribed Islamic sect, Boko Haram, arrested in different parts of Lagos on March 21, will be tried in camera, a Lagos Federal High Court ruled yesterday.
Justice Ibrahim Buba held that it was in the national interest to hold the trial out of public view.
He was ruling on an application brought by the prosecution, which was not opposed by the defence.
The Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, Mr Ade Ipaye, prayed the court to order that the trial be conducted behind closed doors.
He said his application was based on Sections 203 and 205 of the Criminal Procedure and Section 36 (4) (a) (b) of the 1999 Constitution.
Ipaye also sought an order that the prosecution witnesses, who are operatives of the State Security Service (SSS), be allowed to give evidence wearing mask.
He prayed for an order restricting the press from the coverage of the proceedings.
The first to third and seventh defendants’ lawyer, Mr O.E. Nwagbara, did not oppose the application.
Counsel for the remaining 13 defendants also did not oppose the application.
Granting the application, Justice Buba said the media would not be allowed to cover the case.
When the suspects were arraigned last week, SSS operatives prevented journalists from covering the proceedings.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the seven counts of terrorism acts, possession of
prohibitted firearms and ammunition preferred against them.
Justice Buba ordered that they be remanded in prison.
They are Ali Modu, Adamu Karumi, Ibrahim
Ali, Ibrahim Bukar, Mohammed A. Mohammed, Bala Haruna, Idris Ali, Mohammed Murtala, Kadri Mohammed, Mustapha Hassan, Abba Duguni, Sani Adamu, Danjuma Yahaya, Musa Bala, Bala
Daura, Farouk Haruna and Abdula Zuladaini.
The charge said the defendants were arrested at Plot 5, Road 69, Lekki Phase 1 Housing Estate; 24 Oyegbemi Street, Ijora Oloye, Apapa and an unnumbered
bungalow on Oyegbemi Street, behind Celestial Church, in Ijora Oloye on March 21.
The government said they conspired “to commit felony, to with: acts of
terrorism” by having in their possession explosive substances, including three packets of explosive construction pipes and 15 detonators.
They were also said to be in possession of 11 AK-47 rifle magazines loaded with 30 rounds of live ammunition each; 200 rounds of 7.62 mm live ammunition, one AK-47 rifle, two AK-47 rifle magazines with three rounds of live ammunition each, two suitcases containing explosives and one water container of explosives.
Also recovered from the suspects, the charge said, were one bag containing canisters, one HP laptop, five Nokia handsets and one red Volkswagen Golf car with registration number Lagos: SMK 427 AZ, allegedly meant to transport the explosives.
The offence is contrary to Section 17 of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2013 and punishable under Section 17 (b).
Another count alleged that Ibrahim Bukar and Kadri Mohammed, on the same day “knowingly entered into an arrangement for which
money would be made available for the purpose of terrorism for a proscribed organisation to wit: Boko Haram sect.”
The government said the offence was contrary to Section 13 (2) of the Terrorism Prevention
Amendment Act 2013 and punishable under the same Act.
According to the fifth count, the defendants were arrested by security agents for being
members of the proscribed Boko Haram.
The offence is said to be contrary to Section 2 of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Proscription Order) Notice 2013 and punishable under the same
Section 2 (3) (1) read in conjunction with Section 33
(1) (b) of the Act as amended.
The sixth count said they had in their possession prohibited firearms without a licence contrary to Section 516 of the Criminal Code, Cap C38, Laws of
the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and punishable under the same section.
