Senator representing Borno South senatorial district, Mohammed Ali Ndume, who was alleged by a captured Boko Haram member to be a major financier of the sect, yesterday pleaded not guilty to a two-count charge of felony proffered against him by the State Security Services (SSS).
Ndume was arraigned before an Abuja Chief Magistrate's Court, alongside former spokesman of the sect Ali Sanda Umar Konduga, alias Usman Al-Zawahiri, who pleaded guilty to criminal intimidation by anonymous communication. Ndume was charged with breaching official trust when he disclosed classified information to the sect as well as conspired with Konduga to intimidate some senior government officials.
Konduga, who spoke through an interpreter, told the court that he had at various times sent anonymous text messages to Niger State governor Dr. Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu, Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State, former Minister of Works Sanusi Daggash and Ambassador Dalhatu Sarki Tafida, asking them to intercede with the governorship election tribunal in the state.
Having admitted his culpability, Chief Magistrate Oyewumi Oyebola asked him to show cause why he should not be convicted of the offense. But Konduga pleaded for forgiveness and leniency. He said, "I have already committed the offense, I plead for leniency."
Magistrate Oyebola said, "In view of the plea of the accused person and having failed to show cause why he should not be convicted of the offense, he is hereby convicted of criminal intimidation by anonymous communication, punishable under section 398 of the penal code."
Prosecuting counsel C. I Osagie however applied that sentencing be stayed until the determination of the other allegations against both accused persons. He told the court that investigation is at its concluding stage as regards Senator Ndume and applied that both accused persons be remanded in custody of the SSS.
Meanwhile, a volunteer counsel to the accused persons, C. I Nnemeka orally applied that Ndume be granted bail. He also asked that he be allowed unhindered access to both accused persons. Ndume, who told the court that he is suffering from a prostrate illness, said he will require constant medical attention and medication. Prosecutor Osagie however said the SSS has adequate medical facilities and none of the accused persons had informed it of any medical ailment that was not treated.
Adjourning the case till December 6 for hearing, Magistrate Oyebola said it is expedient that the sentencing be put on hold until the determination of the other charges. She ordered that both accused persons be remanded in SSS custody, be given unhindered access to their counsel and be given appropriate medical attention.
DailyTrust