Nigeria TV Info

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Friday, granted an accelerated trial for Khalid Al-Barnawi, the alleged mastermind of the 2011 bombing of the United Nations (UN) building in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The ruling followed an application for speedy proceedings filed and argued by the Department of State Services (DSS).

Al-Barnawi, believed to be a top commander of the terror group Ansaru, was arraigned alongside four others on terrorism-related charges.

During Friday’s proceedings, prosecution counsel, Dr. Alex Iziyon (SAN), urged the court to allow an expedited hearing, assuring that the DSS was fully prepared to ensure swift determination of the case.

With no objection from the defence, Justice Nwite granted the application and directed that video recordings presented by the DSS be played before the court registrar while parties take notes, after which the matter would return to open court on the next adjourned date.

The judge explained that the move was necessary to confirm that the suspects’ confessional statements were not made under duress.

Al-Barnawi was arrested in Lokoja, Kogi State, in April 2016—five years after the UN building attack that claimed over 20 lives and injured more than 70 others.