Terrorism financing: Court returns case of 45 suspects to chief judge

The presiding judge in the case of 45 suspects being held for alleged terrorism financing, Justice Ahmed Mohammed, has returned the case file to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court.

Justice Mohammed, who is one of the vacation judges, is said to have returned the case for re-assignment as the vacation period has ended and the court is to resume on September 20.

• FG should continue collecting VAT, Umahi declares
• Why JUSUN must rise up on autonomy for judiciary now

The office of the Attorney-General of the Federation had on August 26 sought the extension of the 90 days remand of the detainees under section 27 of the Terrorism Prevention Act, 2013.

But counsel to the detainees, Ali Jamilu, asked the court to order their release on bail as no charges had been preferred against them.

The lawyer argued that the federal government’s application to extend their detention was not brought under remand proceedings of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (2015), 2015.

The Presidency and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) had earlier announced the arrest of mainly Bureau De Change operators for allegedly facilitating the transfer of money to Boko Haram terrorists through some Nigerians in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).