Court remands six in DSS custody over alleged terrorism

A Federal High Court sitting successful Abuja connected Wednesday ordered the remand of six defendants successful the custody of the Department of State Services, DSS, aft they were arraigned connected a 13-count complaint relating to alleged terrorism.

At the commencement of proceedings, which began astatine astir 1:46 p.m., the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, informed the tribunal that the complaint was acceptable and sought support for it to beryllium work to the defendants.

The proceeding was concisely interrupted aft the 3rd suspect told the tribunal that his lawyer was indisposed, portion counsel to the sixth suspect indicated that his lawsuit lone understood Arabic and Hausa, prompting the tribunal to basal down the lawsuit to put for an interpreter.

When proceedings resumed astir 2:18 p.m., each six defendants entered their pleas, denying the allegations and pleading not blameworthy to the charges.

Following the arraignment, the prosecution requested that the defendants beryllium remanded successful DSS custody and urged the tribunal to assistance an accelerated proceeding of the case.

The petition was mostly unopposed by defence counsel, though the lawyer to the archetypal suspect signalled plans to record a bail application.

In his ruling, the proceedings justice granted the petition for an expedited hearing, ordered that the defendants beryllium remanded successful DSS custody with entree to their ineligible representatives, and adjourned the lawsuit until April 27, ...