Kabiru Sokoto pleads not guilty to Catholic Church bombing, seeks bail

Kabiru Sokoto was charged for allegedly being a member of Boko Haram between 2007 and 2012.

The State Security Service (SSS) on Friday arraigned an alleged Boko Haram suspect, Kabiru Umar aka Kabiru Sokoto, at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

Mr. Umar was arraigned in connection with the Christmas Day bombing of the St. Theresa Catholic Church, Madalla, Niger State in 2011. Several people were killed in the bombing.

After his initial arrest, the suspect fled from police custody but was later re-arrested.

‘Kabiru Sokoto’ was alleged to have had information about the bombing but failed to inform law enforcement agents. The accused was charged for allegedly being a member of a terrorist group known as Boko Haram between 2007 and 2012 at Mabira Sokoto in Sokoto State. He was also allegedly found to have facilitated the execution of a terrorist act within the period.

The charge read that the suspect committed an offence contrary to Section 4(1) (a) of the Terrorism and Prevention Act 2011 and punishable under Section 33(1) (b) of the same Act. He also committed an offence contrary to Section 15(2) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act 2004.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge, which attracts life sentence.

Justice Adetokunbo Ademola ordered that both the prosecution and defence counsel had until April 26 to file all related processes in respect of the case. The judge turned down an attempt by the defence counsel, Adamu Ibrahim, to move an oral bail application for Mr. Umar; but granted his request that the accused be transferred from SSS custody to Kuje Prison.

He advised Mr. Ibrahim to reapply for bail by way of a written application, adding, “You reserve the right to seek bail for your client but you have to come formally before the court in view of the nature of the offence.”

Hearing in the case has been adjourned to between May 2 and May 9.

The initial attempt for Mr. Umar to be arraigned in court on March 20 was stalled because of the absence of the defence counsel.