Mirian Gom 
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Federal High Court in Abuja has begun a trial-within-trial to examine allegations of coercion and intimidation made by defendants in the 2011 United Nations building bombing case.
At Friday’s sitting, lawyers for both sides confirmed they had jointly reviewed video recordings of the defendants’ interrogations. The Department of State Services (DSS) told the court that masked witnesses would testify to address claims of forced confessions.
Justice Emeka Nwite earlier granted an accelerated hearing following a DSS request.
The trial centres on Khalid Al-Barnawi, alleged leader of the Ansaru faction of Boko Haram and mastermind of the 2011 bombing that killed over 20 people and injured more than 70. Arrested in Lokoja in 2016, Al-Barnawi faces terrorism charges under Nigeria’s anti-terror law.
Legal observers say the trial-within-trial will determine the admissibility of the defendants’ statements, a crucial step in the long-running prosecution.
The court adjourned to continue hearing from witnesses and review the evidence.
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Oluwatobi Adu 
Oluwafunbi Bello 
Korede Abdullah 