Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has ordered an accelerated hearing in the prosecution of five men accused of masterminding the August 26, 2011 bombing of the United Nations building in Abuja.
The order followed an application by prosecuting counsel Alex Izinyon (SAN), who noted that the case—instituted by the Department of State Services (DSS)—has lingered for nearly 15 years. He urged the court to allow day-to-day proceedings in line with practice directions on terrorism cases to ensure speedy determination. Defence counsel did not oppose the request, and the court granted it.
DSS Operative Testifies
At the resumed hearing, a senior DSS operative testified during a trial-within-trial to determine whether the defendants’ statements were made voluntarily.
The witness, identified as PW3 and described as a computer forensic expert in the DSS technical department, told the court he recorded the interview sessions with the five defendants. Although he could not recall the exact date of one of the recordings (Exhibit C), he maintained that the portable forensic recorders used comply with the Evidence Act and global standards.
He dismissed claims of recording irregularities and insisted that all official interactions between investigators and the defendants were fully captured. He explained that only the defendants’ faces were shown in the videos in line with standard procedures designed to protect investigators’ identities.
The witness also stated that the recording equipment is tamper-proof and designed to prevent editing or manipulation, adding that it records simultaneously on two digitally exact DVDs in real time.
The case has been adjourned to March 4 for continuation of the trial.
