Court Approves Speedy Trial for 2011 UN Bombing Suspects

On Monday, a Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite, granted a request for a speedy trial of five men accused of participating in the August 26, 2011, bombing of the United Nations headquarters in Abuja. The prosecution, led by Alex Izinyon SAN, emphasized the prolonged nature of the case, which has lingered for nine years, and urged the court to expedite the proceedings due to the case's direct relation to terrorism.

The defendants include Al Barnawi, Kafuri Naziru, Alhaji Yahaya, Mallam Dauda, and Alhaji Tanimu, alongside Moham Bashir, Saleh Umar, Moham Bello (known as Datti), and Salisu Yakubu Nuhu (known as Bello Maishayi). The court heard testimonies from a senior DSS technical expert regarding the investigation and the admissibility of evidence.

The trial is set to continue on March 4. The bombing resulted in at least 21 deaths and significant destruction, raising international security concerns regarding Nigeria.