A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) permission to detain a police officer and 19 other suspects for 30 days. Justice Peter Lifu issued the order following a request from the DIA to hold Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) A. A. Babangida and other individuals allegedly involved in banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism.
The court order allows the DIA to conduct a thorough investigation into their suspected criminal activities. ASP Babangida, who has been in DIA custody since his arrest in June, is accused of aiding terrorist groups such as Boko Haram, bandits, and the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) in executing acts of terror in various parts of the country.
The decision came after an ex-parte application submitted by DIA counsel S.A. Aminu, who initially requested a 90-day detention period. Aminu argued that the complexity of the case necessitated an extended period due to the recent arrest of the gang’s bomb experts, who provided crucial information.
The court, however, declined the 90-day request, citing the suspects’ existing three-month detention and their constitutional right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty. Justice Lifu emphasized that the DIA must complete its investigation promptly and within the legal framework to avoid violating any laws.
The suspects detained alongside ASP Babangida include Usman Idris, Abu Safiyanu, Alhassan Idris, Sahada Ishaka, and several others, whose involvement in alleged terrorist activities is under investigation. The court’s decision reflects the seriousness of the allegations and the need for a comprehensive investigation before any further legal action is taken.
The application, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1146/2024, outlines the sequence of arrests made by the DIA based on intelligence reports, which led to the suspects’ detention in different locations at various times. The case will remain under review as the DIA completes its investigation within the court-mandated period.
