ThisDay bombing: FG has no case against me –Suspect

[Mirror]

The suspected bomber of This- Day newspapers' office in Kaduna in 2012, Mustapha Umar, yesterday requested a federal high court sitting in Abuja to dismiss a charge preferred against him by the Federal Government, alleging his involvement in the bombing of a building occupied in Kaduna by the media organisation.

Two other media organisations, Blueprint and the Daily Sun also maintained offices in the building targeted by the suspected bomber.

The request by Mustapha was contained in an application brought on his behalf by his counsel, Mr. Nureini Sulaimon, to the effect that the Federal Government had no case against him in respect of the attempted bombing of the ThisDay office.

But the Federal Government, in a riposte, had dismissed Mustapha's application as balderdash and mere wishful thinking.

In a written address in support of his no-case submission, Umar argued that the prosecution failed to make out a prima facie case against him.

He also argued that all evidence led by the prosecution did not link him to the charge preferred against him.

His lawyer, Nureini Sulaiman, adopted the written submission yesterday and prayed the court to set his client free.

The prosecution, led by the Acting Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Simon Egede, also adopted a written counter argument by the state.

The prosecution urged the court to discountenance Umar's submission and call on him to open his defence.

It argued that it has led sufficient evidence establishing the culpability of the accused person.

The prosecution contended that it has made out a prima facie case against Umar.

Justice Adeniyi Ademola has fiexed July 2 for ruling.

Umar, a suspected Boko Haram member, is charged with terrorism related offences over the explosion which partly damaged the building – SOJ Plaza in the city.

The building on Kontagora Road, Kaduna, is occupied by Thisday, Daily Sun and the Moment newspapers.

National Mirror