One of the defendants facing trial over the 2011 bombing of the United Nations building in Abuja has narrated how he became involved with the terrorist network led by Khalid Al-Barnawi.
At the resumed hearing on Wednesday, the second defendant, Mohammed Bashir Saleh, told the Federal High Court in a video recording played in open court that he met Al-Barnawi in Bauchi shortly before the attack and later joined his group.
Al-Barnawi was arrested by the Department of State Services in Lokoja, Kogi State, in April 2016—five years after the bombing, which left more than 20 people dead and over 70 others injured.
He is standing trial alongside Saleh, Umar Mohammed Bello, also known as Datti, Mohammed Salisu, and Yakubu Nuhu, also called Bello Maishayi.
Proceedings on Wednesday focused on a trial-within-trial, instituted by the court to determine whether the defendants’ confessional statements were made voluntarily.
An operative of the DSS, identified as PW3 and attached to the agency’s technical department, testified during cross-examination that he was responsible for the audio-visual recording of Al-Barnawi’s interview and statement sessions. He told the court his duties include forensic audio-visual documentation, mobile phone and computer forensic analysis, as well as crime scene investigation.
The presiding judge, Emeka Nwite, adjourned the matter to March 2, 2026, to allow for the continuation of cross-examination, citing other official engagements.
(Editor: Ada Ononye)
