The
first Prosecution Witness, identified as XYZ in the ongoing trial of the
alleged mastermind of the 2011 Christmas day bombing of St. Theresa’s Catholic
Church, Madalla in Niger state, Kabiru Umar (alias Kabiru Sokoto)on
Thursday told a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja that the accused(Kabiru) in
his confessional statement admitted that he was the governor of the Boko Haram
sect in Sokoto state.
The witness, a police officer attached to
the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Special Task Force on terrorism also
narrated to the court how Sokoto was arrested last January at the Borno State
government lodge in Asokoro, Abuja and what transpired during interrogation.
the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Special Task Force on terrorism also
narrated to the court how Sokoto was arrested last January at the Borno State
government lodge in Asokoro, Abuja and what transpired during interrogation.
XYZ told the court that Sokoto voluntarily
gave a statement in which he stated that he belongs to the Boko Haram Sect and
that he is the governor of the sect in Sokoto State.
“He told us that they received funding from
a group in Algeria known as Musulmi Yamma and that the money caused adivision
within the sect.”
a group in Algeria known as Musulmi Yamma and that the money caused adivision
within the sect.”
Prosecuting counsel, Chioma Onuegbu, sought
to tender the statement as evidence but defense counsel, Adamu Ibrahim,
objected.
to tender the statement as evidence but defense counsel, Adamu Ibrahim,
objected.
Ibrahim told the court that the statement
was not obtained voluntarily and prayed to the court to declare a trial within
trial.
was not obtained voluntarily and prayed to the court to declare a trial within
trial.
At the trial within trial, prosecution
witness 2, who was identified as ABC, informed the court that Sokoto had asked
for someone to take his statement while he was being interrogated because he
was not in the right state of mind to do so himself.
witness 2, who was identified as ABC, informed the court that Sokoto had asked
for someone to take his statement while he was being interrogated because he
was not in the right state of mind to do so himself.
He, however, said the statement was not
obtained under duress as claimed by defence counsel but under Biu’s supervision
and in the presence of other members of the team.
obtained under duress as claimed by defence counsel but under Biu’s supervision
and in the presence of other members of the team.
When called to the witness stand to testify
however, Sokoto, who spoke through an interpreter said he was tortured while in
police custody, insisted he did not give any statement at the police
headquarters.
however, Sokoto, who spoke through an interpreter said he was tortured while in
police custody, insisted he did not give any statement at the police
headquarters.
Justice Adeniyi Ademola adjourned till
today for ruling on the trial within trial and continuation of hearing.
today for ruling on the trial within trial and continuation of hearing.
Source: Tribune
