News
DSS urges court to admit statements by terror suspects accused of spying on US, Israel’s interests
DSS urges court to admit statements by terror suspects accused of spying on US, Israel’s interests
The Department of State Services (DSS) has urged a Federal High Court in Abuja to admit in evidence statements made by three terror suspects accused of spying on American and Israeli interests in Nigeria for certain individuals in Iran.
Haruna Ali Abbas, Ibrahim Hussaini Musa and Adam Suleiman were arrested in Kano and Lagos in 2013 and were arraigned on terrorism-related charges.
In the course of trial, the defendants objected to the admissibility of the extra-judicial statements they made during investigation, claiming not to have made them voluntarily. This prompted the court to conduct a trial-within-trial.
On Wednesday, lawyers to parties adopted their final written addresses in relation to the trial-within-trial, following which Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned ruling till a date to be communicated to the parties.
Prosecuting lawyer, Bello Abu, while adopting his final written address, took the court through the evidence supplied by the prosecution in the trial-within-trial to establish that the defendants made the statement voluntarily.
The DSS counsel faulted a claim by the defendants that they were compelled to make the statements. He argued that such came as an afterthought.
He prayed the court to admit the statements in evidence and proceed with the substantive trial.
Defence lawyers – Aliyu Yawuri,
Bala Dakun and Bello Ibrahim – argued otherwise, and prayed the court to reject the statements.
According to the charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/129/2014, Abbas was said to have been arrested on March 16, 2013 at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano on his way from Lebanon.
Abbas is accused of recruiting young Nigerians, including Musa and Suleiman, for terrorism training in Iran.
He is also accused of participating in terrorist meetings, and equally alleged to have rendered support to an act of terrorism by agreeing to send persons for terrorist training in Iran.
Abbas is equally accused of “embarking on an act preparatory to an act of terrorism by compiling a list of American and Israeli concerns in Lagos, and their locations in map which included USA Consular office in Lagos and sent them to one Abu Ali in Iran using coded language with encryption software through his email addresses.”
On their part, Musa and Suleiman are charged with “conspiracy to do an act preparatory to an act of terrorism by obtaining Nigeria’s international passport and Iranian visa for the purpose of travelling to Iran for terrorist training.”
They are equally accused of “carrying on an act preparatory to an act of terrorism by carrying out in Abuja, Kano and Lagos surveillance on United States of America and Israeli embassies preparatory to terrorist attack.”
DSS urges court to admit statements by terror suspects accused of spying on US, Israel’s interests
Police arrest fake soldier, recover firearms in Abuja
By: Zagazola Makama
The Police Command in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has arrested a 40-year-old man who allegedly posed as a soldier to deceive and extort unsuspecting members of the public in Abuja.
Sources said that the suspect, identified as Abdullahi Salisu of Military Pension Board area, was arrested on Monday evening by a police ambush team from Kubwa Division while on routine patrol at FO1, Kubwa.
“On a spot search, one locally made pistol with a cartridge was recovered in his possession.
“A further search conducted at his residence led to the recovery of another locally made gun, as well as clothing and tokens suspected to belong to a civilian JTF unit, which the suspect allegedly used in carrying out criminal activities,” said the sources.
The sources said suspect is currently in custody undergoing interrogation to ascertain his true identity and involvement in other crimes.
Police arrest fake soldier, recover firearms in Abuja
Eight hunters killed in bandits’ attack in Niger
By: Zagazola Makama
At least eight hunters have been killed during an exchange of gunfire with armed bandits in Mariga Local Government Area of Niger.
It was gathered that the incident occurred when a large number of armed bandits invaded Hunyo/Sabon Wuri village in Dusai Mahoro District of Mariga and rustled an unspecified number of cattle.
Sources said the bandits, while attempting to escape with the stolen cattle, were intercepted by the hunters between Kakihum and Kumbashi villages.
“In the ensuing exchange of fire, eight of the hunters lost their lives. Their names and addresses are yet to be ascertained.
“Police Mobile Force operatives deployed in Bangi, the divisional patrol team, and local vigilantes led by the Divisional Police Officer moved swiftly to the scene. The corpses have since been evacuated to General Hospital, Bangi, for autopsy,” said the sources.
Eight hunters killed in bandits’ attack in Niger
Five women die in Niger mining site collapse
By: Our Reporter
Atleast five women died following the collapse of an illegal mining site in Paikoro Local Government Area of the state.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at about 6:30 p.m. on Monday at Budu village, where an illegal mining pit caved in and trapped the victims.
The sources said that the victims were identified as Tani Abubakar, who was pregnant, Farida Mustapha, Farida Sule, Khadijat Abdullahi, and Zainab Usman, all residents of Budu and Panbi villages.
“Security operatives visited the scene, where the victims were exhumed and rushed to the General Hospital, Paiko. Sadly, they were confirmed dead on arrival. Their corpses have been deposited at the hospital for autopsy,” said the sources.
The sources added that investigations were ongoing, while warning residents against illegal mining activities that endanger lives.
Five women die in Niger mining site collapse
Police arrest fake soldier, recover firearms in Abuja
Eight hunters killed in bandits’ attack in Niger
Five women die in Niger mining site collapse
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