Suspected Boko Haram member remanded in prison

A Lokoja Chief Magistrates’ Court has remanded a suspected Boko Haram member, Mustapha Adinoyi, in prison over alleged involvement in terrorist activities and illegal possession of arms.

The prosecution led by Mohammed Abaji of the state Ministry of Justice told the court that Adinoyi was arrested following intelligence reports by a joint team of the Nigerian Army and the DSS.

Abaji said that Adinoyi’s handset and SIM card analysis further revealed that he had several meetings with one Dauda Momoh also known as ” General”, a Boko Haram commander on the wanted list of the DSS.

He said that the accused also took the commander to the house of another member of the gang, one Abdulfatai where two single barrel guns, one toy gun, six SIM cards and other weapons were recovered.

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The counsel prayed the court to take cognisance of the offences of criminal conspiracy contrary to Section 97(1) of the Penal Code and belonging to terrorist group contrary to Section four of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013.

The alleged offences also included illegal possession of firearms contrary to Section three of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provision) Act CAP R11 2004.

Chief Magistrate, Levi Animoku, who ordered the remand after the state Counsel had arraigned the accused in Lokoja, described the alleged offence as “a fearful one”.

He said that Boko Haram activities had claimed lives of many Nigerians, adding that bail will be not granted because the offence is grievous and attracts great penalty.

“The presumptuous of innocence notwithstanding, I refuse the bail of the accused. Consequently, the accused shall be remanded at the Federal Prisons, Koton-Karfe,” he said.

Animoku, thereafter, adjourned the case until Oct. 17 for mention.