The Federal Government has filed an application before a Federal High Court in Abuja opposing the prison remand of seven Boko Haram leaders facing charges of killing 11 foreigners in Northern Nigeria between 2011 and 2013.
Justice John Tsoho had on March 14 ordered the remand of the defendants at the Kuje Prisons in Abuja following their arraignment on an 11 counts charge of terrorism.
They are: Mohammed Usman (aka Khalid Albarnawi), described as the leader of a Boko Haram splinter group, Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan (a.k.a ANSARU); Mohammed Bashir Saleh, Umar Bello (aka Abu Azzan); Mohammed Salisu (Datti); Yakubu Nuhu (aka Bello Maishayi), Usman Abubakar (Mugiratu) and a lady, Halima Aliyu.
But counsel to the Federal Government, Suleiman Labaran yesterday told the court that keeping them in the facilities of the Department of State Services (DSS) was in the interest of public safety and national security.
Meanwhile, the judge has granted approval for the prosecution to shield the identities of witnesses in the trial.
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