A Nigerian court on Tuesday refused bail to the brother of an alleged militant and three others facing treason and terrorism charges over Independence Day twin car bombings that killed 12 people in Abuja.
Charles Okah, elder brother of Henry Okah now standing trial in a South African court, had requested for bail after they were arraigned on December 7.
In two separate lawsuits at federal high court Abuja, the suspects were alleged to have “deliberately and intentionally participated in the commission of terrorist act” and levied “war against the state in order to intimidate or over-awe the President.”
“I was unable to lay my hand on any concrete fact or evidence by which I will be satisfied that the accused applicants, if admitted to bail, … will avail their trial,” presiding judge Gabriel Kolawole said in his ruling.
He ordered that the accused be transferred from the custody of the state security service to a prison in Abuja with access to their lawyers and family members.
The judge also ordered an accelerated hearing of both cases before adjourning the matter to January 12 for trial.