THE FEDERAL High Court in Abuja on Thursday threatened to strike out the case against the alleged masterminds of the 2014 Nyanya bombing due to repeated delays by the prosecution.
Justice Peter Lifu issued the warning after the prosecuting counsel failed to appear in court yet again.
The defendants — Aminu Ogwuche and five others — are facing trial for their alleged roles in the bombing, which killed at least 75 people and injured many more.
The case, initially before Justice Ahmed Mohammed, was reassigned to Justice Lifu after Mohammed’s elevation to the Court of Appeal, requiring proceedings to start anew.
During the hearing, while all defendants and their lawyers were present, no representative from the prosecution appeared.
The court registrar informed the judge that the prosecution had requested an adjournment via a letter.
Defence counsel A. I. Abbas, representing Ogwuche, urged the court to dismiss the case, citing the prosecution’s persistent delays and the defendants’ prolonged detention — over 11 years — without trial.
He emphasized that the defendants, presumed innocent, remain in Nigeria and could be re-arraigned if the prosecution becomes ready.
Similarly, A. M. Yawuri, counsel for the third and fourth defendants, condemned the violation of his clients’ constitutional right to a speedy trial.
He noted that one defendant had appeared in court 88 times under the previous judge and nine times before Justice Lifu, yet the case had made no significant progress.
Yawuri criticized the prosecution’s excuses, stating that the Attorney-General’s office had ample legal personnel to handle the case but chose not to.
Umar Yakubu, representing the fifth defendant, revealed his client’s frustration, stating that the prolonged incarceration had led him to consider pleading guilty just to secure release from DSS custody.
Justice Lifu acknowledged the gravity of the charges but expressed dissatisfaction with the prosecution’s failure to justify the delays.
He granted a final adjournment, scheduling the trial for June 18 and 19, but warned that further delays could result in the case being dismissed.
Additionally, the judge ordered the DSS to grant defence lawyers and family members access to the defendants to aid trial preparation and safeguard their mental well-being.
The case continues to draw attention as the court seeks to balance judicial efficiency with the defendants’ rights amid serious terrorism allegations. (NAN)
