Why Boko Haram suspects not arraigned — Minister

[DT]

Defence Minister Bello Halliru Mohammed yesterday said suspected Boko Haram members were being held without trial because of the need to conclude investigations before charging them to court.

Security agencies are believed to be holding hundreds of suspected sect members, mostly in detention centres in Abuja. Speaking in a BBC Hausa interview aired yesterday, the Defence Minister said authorities have court backings to "remand" the suspects until investigations were concluded. But he was not specific on any case.

"It was the court that gives what is called 'remanding' so that they will remain in custody, which means it is permission for further investigation on what they are accused of," Mohammed said.

"There is need for through investigations, which will lead to the arrest of those behind what is happening. If these detained have information that they will share with security agencies, court permission is required to keep them in custody for questioning about their further plans, finding out about locations of their colleagues."

Daily Trust made efforts yesterday to get specifics from the Defence Minister's office on the courts that gave the remand orders and the number of suspects being detained, but the efforts were not successful.

When contacted, a spokesmen for the Defence Minister, Mr. Emeka Nwapa, confirmed that Mohammed had spoken to the BBC but said he could not say anything further on the interview.

"I can confirm to you that the BBC interviewed the minister yesterday (Sunday) but I can't back up what was discussed," Nwapa said.

In the BBC interview, the minister also explained why homes of suspected Boko Haram members were routinely demolished by security agents in Kano and Maiduguri. He said, "By law, any place which is used for criminal activities, government has the right to shut down the place and destroy it in order to protect the lives of its people."

He added: "Government is ready to listen to any Boko Haram member who thinks he has complaints.... However, anybody who violated the law government has every right to arrest him and punish him."

Daily Trust