It said the first and second defendants allegedly plotted to attack the Kirikiri Maximum Prison to free their members held in custody.
The accused persons are – Adamu Mohammed, Mohammed Mustapha, Bura Hassaini and Mohammed Ibrahim.
Security was tight at the court as armed State
Officers manned the court’s two gates, screening people as they went in.
Those carrying bags were asked to open them for examination.
They suspects were brought in hooded.
The charge, numbered FHC/L/316c/13 was signed by E. K. Ugwu, on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation.
In the first count, the government said the four, sometime in June and July at Wasein, a hideout at Orile-Iganmu area, Apapa, Lagos, and at 3 Denton Street, Yaba, within the court’s jurisdiction, were arrested by a team of security agents “for belonging to a proscribed organisation to wit: Boko Haram sect.”
The prosecution said the accused persons thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 2 of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2011 and punishable under Section 2 (3) (i), read in conjunction with Section 33 (1) (b) of the Act as amended by the Terrorism (Prevention) (Proscription Order) 2013.
In the second count, the government alleged that Mohammed and Mustapha, with others at large, on or about June 26 this year at Wasein, conspired among themselves “to commit a felony to wit: act of terrorism by organising a planned attack of the Kirikiri Prison in Lagos State to free detained members in prison custody.”
The alleged offence, the government said, is contrary to Section 8 (1) of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013 and punishable under Section 8 (1) of the same Act.
Following Ugwu’s oral application the charge was read in English and explained to the accused persons in Hausa language.
The court, presided over by Justice Saliu Saidu, asked each of them: “Do you understand the charge read to you?”
The accused persons all responded in the affirmative and pleaded not guilty.
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