11 Years On, Nyanya Bombing Trial Stalled as Alleged Mastermind Protests Delay

Abuja, Nigeria – Aminu Sadiq Ogwuche, the alleged mastermind behind the devastating April 14, 2014 bombing at Nyanya Motor Park in Abuja, has voiced his strong objection to the protracted 11-year delay in his terrorism trial. The blast, which claimed the lives of 75 individuals and left over 100 injured, remains a stark reminder of the peak of Boko Haram’s insurgency in the nation’s capital.

Appearing before Justice Peter Lifu at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday, Ogwuche, through his counsel Abdusalam Abas, lamented the staggering 97 adjournments the case has suffered. He argued that these delays were based on flimsy excuses from the prosecution and pleaded with the court to strike out the 7-count terrorism charges against him due to a lack of diligent prosecution by the federal government.

Ogwuche asserted that the government had not only stalled his trial but had also seemingly abandoned him in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS). His frustration echoed the sentiments of the other four defendants standing trial alongside him, who, through their respective lawyers, urged Justice Lifu to invoke Section 351 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) to terminate the charges.

Justice Lifu, visibly displeased with the prosecution’s handling of the case, expressed his dismay at the lack of interest from the Federal Ministry of Justice in Abuja to proceed with the trial as required by law. The judge highlighted a previous ruling on July 1, 2024, where the court had warned of potential dismissal of the charges if the prosecution continued to be absent.

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In his ruling on Friday, Justice Lifu stated that the reasons provided for the latest adjournment request were neither reasonable nor compelling. He emphasized the length of time the case has been pending – since December 12, 2014 – describing it as “absurd” and contrary to the principles of presumption of innocence, fundamental liberty, and human rights.

While acknowledging that he would have struck out the charges based on his earlier warning, Justice Lifu cited the grave nature of the allegations as the reason for granting the prosecution one final opportunity. He sternly directed the federal government to present its witnesses on June 18 and 19, 2025, failing which the charges would be struck out.

Furthermore, following complaints from the defense lawyers regarding access to their clients, Justice Lifu ordered the Director General of the DSS to grant counsel, parents, blood relatives, and desirable friends access to the defendants to facilitate their preparation for defense.

This is not the first time the trial has faced setbacks. Previously, two other judges, Adeniyi Ademola and Ahmed Ramat Mohammed, had handled the case without significant progress. Notably, Justice Adeniyi Ademola had, on November 24, 2014, struck out an earlier 2-count charge against Ogwuche due to a lack of diligent prosecution by the Inspector General of Police.

Ogwuche, who was 29 years old at the time of the 2014 bombing, faces a 7-count charge including conspiracy, engaging in acts of terrorism, belonging to the proscribed Boko Haram group, and withholding information that could have prevented the terrorist act. He is also accused of providing financial support to the widows of Boko Haram members and, along with Akhmad Rufai Abubakar, of conducting surveillance on potential terrorist targets, including Silverbird Galleria in Abuja.

The other defendants in the case are Akhmad Rufai Abubakar (aka Abu Ibrahim/Maitirare), Mohammed Sani Ishaq, Ya’u Saidu (aka Kofar Rama), Anas Isah, Adamu Yusuf, and Nasiru Abubakar. They are accused of offenses contrary to and punishable under various sections of the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act 2013.

Ogwuche, a native of Benue State, was extradited to Nigeria from Sudan on July 15, 2014, to face trial for his alleged involvement in the Nyanya bombing, which remains one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in Nigeria’s history. The latest court proceedings underscore the persistent challenges in prosecuting terrorism-related cases in Nigeria, often marked by lengthy delays and logistical hurdles. The upcoming June dates will be critical in determining the future of this long-pending and highly significant case.