The Police in Niger State on Wednesday dragged three officials of the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency to the Chief Magistrates Court in Minna for allegedly facilitating the escape of a suspect, who allegedly carried out the bombing a rally organised by the Peoples Democratic Party in Suleja.
The bombs, which exploded at the Government Secondary School, Suleja, the venue of the rally, on March 3, killed several persons and left many others who are still recuperating In IBB Hospital Minna, severely injured.
But the NDLEA officials arraigned by the police were said to be the leader of the team that arrested the suspect, Michael Ifezuruoha, Zonal exhibit keeper, Mohammed Tenimu, Zonal and Suleja Area Commander, Aminu Yusuf.
They were arraigned on a six-count charge of criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, abetting, aiding escape of a terrorist, destruction of vital exhibit, negligent conduct and mischief.
The charge sheet, which was made available to our correspondent, showed that the offences were contrary to Section 97, 221, 83 (c), 167, 196 and 336 of the Penal Code.
According to the charge sheet, Ifezuruoha arrested the suspected bombers on March 4 along Kaduna/Abuja Road following a tip-off.
But he was said to have conspired with other officials to release the suspect so that he would “escape the consequences of causing death, injuries and amputation of innocent Nigerians.”
Ifezuroha was said to have recovered a Nokia handset, TV Mobile E7, Chinese handset with IME No 1/3566/0031/77253 from the terrorist leader before allowing him to escape.
The charge sheet stated that police investigation had revealed that the suspect bargained, conspired and released the terrorist leader and that he extorted and recovered the handsets from him before allowing him to escape.
Reading the charge sheet to Ifezuruoha, the Chief Magistrate, Mr. Mohammad Tanko, said, “Investigation also revealed your complications in the investigation of the massive deaths and act of terrorism at the GSS Suleja.
“And that you confessed in your own hand writing/long hand that you agreed to destroy the handset of the terrorist in order to shield him from being arrested and prosecuted for the gross act of genocide.
“You also agreed and confessed that it was your arrangement that Michael Ifezuroha should personally burn the Sim card of the terrorist whom you earlier conspired and released. You volunteered and took the officer in charge of general investigation at the State CID Minna, Niger state and his team to the spot where you burnt the sim card of the principal terrorist suspect.”
The police prosecutor, Mr. John Atwergo, had argued that the suspect should not be granted bail to prevent them from interfering with the investigation especially as some of the accused persons were still at large.
He further submitted that the offence was not bailable, saying if found guilty, the accused persons would be jailed beyond five years. He asked the judge not to take the pleas of the accused persons.
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