Nigerian senator arraigned on terror charges

  1. Posted on Thursday 24 November 2011 - 13:00
    Hussaini
    Image of Hussaini
    Hussaini Umar, AfricaNews reporter in Kano, Nigeria
    The Nigerian senator detained in connection with links to Islamic militant group Boko Haram appeared at an Abuja Magistrate court today to face terrorism charges. The Boko Haram spokesperson, Ali Sanda Umar Konduga, aka, "Usman Al-Zawahiri" was arrested and paraded in public by the Nigerian secret police, State Security Services (SSS).
    gavel
    He spoke openly about Senator Ndume's support in helping the group frame threat text messages to various politicians and Nigerian officials via text messages.

    Reports monitored through Channels TV in Lagos indicate the State Security Service charged Senator Ali Ndume to court with two counts of breach of official trust by disclosing information to unauthorized persons and criminal conduct.

    Some of Ndume’s colleagues in the National Assembly said that the charges of unauthorized disclosure of privileged information and criminal conduct to the sect members remain mere allegations, and that their colleague should not be pronounced guilty until the allegations against him are established before the court.

    He was fingered alongside former Nigeria’s ambassador to Sao Tome and Principe, the late Amb. Sa’idu Pindar.

    The suspected, Konduga had claimed that the late Pindar had informed them that former President Olusegun Obasanjo was behind ex-governor Sherrif, and encouraged them to send the threat text messages to him and other Northern politicians including Senator Sanusi Daggash, who he claimed worked against the victory of the PDP in the state during the governorship election.

    The court was still in session as at the time of filing this report, but state prosecutors said they will oppose any bail application for the senator.

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