One of the suspects standing trial alongside alleged Boko Haram operative Khalid Al-Barnawi over the August 26, 2011 bombing of the United Nations building in Abuja has told the Federal High Court how he became a member of the terrorist group.
The suspect, Mohammed Bashir Saleh, the second defendant in the case being prosecuted by the Department of State Services (DSS), disclosed this in a video recording played in court on Wednesday during the resumed hearing of the matter.
In the footage, Saleh said he met Al-Barnawi in Bauchi State shortly before the deadly attack on the UN facility, adding that the association later culminated in his joining Boko Haram.
Al-Barnawi was arrested by the DSS in April 2016 in Lokoja, Kogi State, almost five years after the bombing, which marked the first attack on an international organisation’s facility in Nigeria.
The explosion claimed over 20 lives and left more than 70 persons injured.
Also known by several aliases including Kafuri, Naziru, Alhaji Yahaya, Mallam Dauda and Alhaji Tanimu, Al-Barnawi is standing trial alongside Saleh, Umar Mohammed Bello (also known as Datti), Mohammed Salisu, and Yakubu Nuhu, also called Bello Maishayi.
Trial-within-trial continues
At Wednesday’s proceedings, the court also watched another video recording of Saleh’s interview as the trial-within-trial continued to determine whether the confessional statements allegedly made by the defendants were obtained voluntarily.
The court further commenced the cross-examination of the third prosecution witness.
During cross-examination by defence counsel to the first defendant, F. K. Kaigama, NAIJAONPOINT , identified as TSR3, told the court that he works in the Technical Department of the DSS.
He said his duties include setting up audio and video recording equipment in interview rooms, recording interrogation sessions, conducting computer and mobile phone forensic examinations, and participating in crime scene investigations such as fingerprint collection and laboratory analysis.
NAIJAONPOINT added that he personally handled the real-time audio and video recording of Al-Barnawi’s interview, recorded the statement-taking process and documented its translation.
Asked whether there was an officer named James in the DSS Technical Department, NAIJAONPOINT replied that several officers bearing that name work in the department.
At that point, the trial judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, adjourned proceedings due to other official engagements.
With the consent of counsel to all parties, the matter was adjourned until March 2 for the continuation of the cross-examination of the third prosecution witness in the ongoing trial-within-trial.