Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Henry Owen
A Federal High Court in Abuja has admitted three video clips as evidence in a case involving five suspects accused of bombing the United Nations building in Abuja in 2011. The court’s decision is part of a trial-within-trial to determine whether the suspects’ statements were made voluntarily or under pressure.
The judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, scheduled December 5 to continue the trial, where the videos will be played in court. This trial aims to challenge the suspects’ claims that they were forced to make their statements under duress.
The government’s case accuses five terror suspects, led by Khalid Al-Barnawi, of planning and carrying out the deadly attack on August 26, 2011, which killed at least 20 people and injured over 70. Al-Barnawi, who was captured in 2016, faces trial alongside four others: Mohammed Bashir Saleh, Umar Mohammed Bello (also known as Datti), Mohammed Salisu, and Yakubu Nuhu (also known as Bello Maishayi).
The trial has faced delays due to legal issues, including the suspects lacking legal representation at times. Recently, the appointment of Mr. Oluwatosin Ajayi as the new Director General of the DSS has pushed for faster trials for terror suspects, and the court granted this request.
After the video of the first suspect was played, the judge fixed December 5 for the playback of videos for the other suspects.
Earlier, the court also admitted statements from three other individuals charged with terrorism-related offenses. These suspects—Haruna Ali Abbas, Ibrahim Hussaini Musa, and Adam Sulaiman—are accused of spying on US and Israeli interests for Iran.
This case has been ongoing since 2014 and was re-assigned multiple times. The suspects claim their statements were forced, but the prosecution argues they were made voluntarily and with proper procedures.
The court allowed witnesses from both sides to testify. The prosecution’s witnesses said the suspects’ statements were obtained properly and that suspects’ welfare was respected during detention. However, the suspects claimed they were tortured and beaten.
After considering the evidence, the judge ruled that the suspects’ statements could be used as evidence, saying the prosecution proved they were not forced to make them.
The case has been adjourned to January 22, 2026, for a full hearing.
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