[Nigerian Tribune] JUSTICE Adeniyi Ademola of a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Monday, held that he has jurisdiction to hear and determine the terrorism suit brought against the prime suspect of the 2011 Christmas Bombing of St. Theresa's Catholic Church, Madalla in Niger State, Kabiru Umar a.k.a Kabiru Sokoto.The court assumed jurisdiction based on the provision of Section 32 of the Terrorism Prevention amended Act, 2013.
The court also fixed Thursday, May 9, to rule on the bail application brought by the accused.
The suspect, through his counsel, Adamu Ibrahim, had challenged the territorial jurisdiction of a Federal High Court, Abuja to try his client on the ground that the alleged crime as contained in the charge was committed in Niger and Sokoto states.
Ibrahim,however, asked the court to discharge the accused person, as well as an order of court that the proof of evidence did not disclose prima facae case against Kabiru.
In opposing the motion, which challenged the territorial jurisdiction of the court, the prosecuting counsel, Chioma Onuebu, cited several provisions of the law and urged the court to dismiss the application by the defence counsel.