The Department of State Services (DSS) has attributed the delay in prosecuting terrorism suspects linked to the August 26, 2011 UN building bombing to legal and procedural challenges.

Favour Dozie, Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications at the DSS, stated this in a release on Wednesday in Abuja.

According to Dozie, the five suspects apprehended in 2016 in connection with the attack that claimed 20 lives and injured over 70 people are currently facing trial.

According to the DSS Deputy Director, the trial has faced prolonged delays due to legal and procedural challenges, including instances where the suspects appeared in court without legal representation.

”The DSS recently requested the court to grant accelerated hearing in the case, a request Justice Emeka Nwite granted.

”On Oct. 23 and 24, a trial-within-trial was conducted, during which videos of the defendants’ confessional statements were played in the courtroom.”

Dozie further disclosed that Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, is set to resume the trial of two internationally wanted terrorism suspects on November 19.

The DSS Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications explained that the suspects were apprehended in July during a high-risk, intelligence-driven counterterrorism operation conducted by DSS operatives after several months of pursuit.

Dozie stated that the two suspects are believed to be leaders of Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan (ANSARU), the Nigerian affiliate of Al-Qaeda.

”One of the suspects, a self-styled Emir of ANSARU, allegedly coordinated various terrorist sleeper cells across Nigeria.

”He is also believed to have masterminded several high-profile kidnappings and robberies, the proceeds of which were used to finance terrorism over the years.

”The second suspect, chief of staff and deputy to the first suspect is alleged to have led the so-called “Mahmudawa” cell, which operated around the Kainji National Park.

”The cell is located on the border between the states of Niger and Kwara, as well as the Republic of Benin,” Dozie said.

The DSS deputy director, public relations and strategic communication, further said that the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), in a statement on Aug. 16, claimed that one of the suspects received training in Libya between 2013 and 2015.

According to Dozie, the training was under foreign jihadist instructors from Egypt, Tunisia, and Algeria.

He also said that the two suspects were being tried on a 32-count terrorism charge with one of the counts related to illegal mining.

Dozie also revealed that the DSS on Aug. 11, arraigned five suspects before a Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged involvement in the June 5, 2022 attack at St. Francs Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State.

”The suspects were arrested over the attack that led to the death of over 40 people and over 100 others injured were arraigned on a nine-count terrorism charge.

”Their charges include being members of Al Shabab terrorist group, with cell in Kogi, and carrying out the attack in furtherance of their religious ideology among others. (NAN)

UN attack: DSS blames delay in suspects trial to legal, procedural issues