Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has dismissed the bail applications of four suspects allegedly linked to the notorious bandit kingpin, Bello Turji. The court ruled that their release would pose a severe threat to national security.
In a landmark ruling, Justice Nwite concurred with the prosecution, led by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), stating that while bail is at the court’s discretion, it must be exercised judicially and judiciously. The prosecution’s counsel, David Kaswe, argued that granting bail could enable the suspects to abscond or interfere with the trial process.
The court also granted an ex-parte motion to protect witnesses as the trial begins immediately. The prosecution had earlier argued that the defendants played crucial roles in terrorism activities orchestrated by Bello Turji in northern Nigeria.
According to Kaswe, national security concerns outweigh the defendants’ right to bail, especially given the strong evidence against them. He emphasized that the charges involve severe penalties and that some co-defendants, including Bello Turji himself, remain at large, continuing to endanger innocent lives.
Justice Nwite acknowledged that the Nigerian Constitution presumes individuals innocent until proven guilty but insisted that all facts must be carefully weighed. Given the gravity of the allegations and ongoing security threats, the judge ruled against bail while ordering an accelerated hearing of the trial.
The trial is set to commence immediately, with the prosecution expected to present substantial evidence against the accused. Authorities remain vigilant as efforts continue to track down other members of Turji’s network.
