Judge withdraws from trial of B/Haram suspects
Justice John Tsoho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has withdrawn from the trial of eight persons accused of being commanders of the Boko Haram sect.
The suspects allegedly killed 11 foreigners in northern Nigeria between 2011 and 2013.
The suspects are: Mohammed Usman (aka Khalid Albarnawi), described as the leader of a Boko Haram splinter group, Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan (a.k.a ANSARU); Mohammed Sani, Abubakar Abdulrahman Habibu, Mohammed Bashir Saleh, Umar Mohammed Bello (aka Abu Azzan); Mohammed Salisu (Datti); Yakubu Nuhu (aka Bello Maishayi), and a lady, Halima Haliru.
Justice Tsoho, in a ruling yesterday directed that the case file be remitted to the Acting Chief Judge, Justice Abdul Kafarati for re-assignment to another judge.
The judge’s decision followed complains by five of the suspects that they have lost confidence in the court, after the court withdrew its earlier decision of March 14 remanding them in Kuje Prisons pending the conclusion of their trial.
Defence lawyers: N.I. Momoh, Samuel Attah, and Elisha Oloruntoba informed the court that their clients have lost confidence in the court for appearing to side with the Federal Government in the case.
They submitted that the conditions in the facility of the Department of State Services (DSS) have worsened their clients’ health conditions, and denied them access to family members and lawyers.
However, defence lawyer, Nathaniel Adejinle informed the judge that his clients: Mohammed Sani, Abubakar Abdulrahman Habibu were comfortable with the court and opposed the transfer of the case.
The Federal Government had on April 11 opposed the order of the court remanding the defendants to prison, on the grounds that it will not be in the interest of public safety and national security.
In the affidavit before the court, he said the Kuje Prison is not sufficient to protect Albarnawi, who leads a breakaway of the Abubakar Shekau faction, adding “that they are one of the most wanted terrorists in the world.”