SAN FRANCISCO, 06, (THEWILL) – Senator Ali Ndume, seeking an order terminating his trial on terrorism charges preferred against him by the Federal Government, has revealed that former Vice President Namadi Sambo knew of his communications with Boko Haram insurgents.
The Federal Government had on December 12, 2011, arraigned Ndume on four counts of terrorism charges alleging a link between Ndume and a suspected member of Boko Haram, Ali Konduga, who had since been convicted and sentenced for terrorism charges.
Ndume was accused of, among other counts, sponsoring the Boko Haram sect, and failing to disclose the phone number of Konduga, which was alleged to be in his possession.
The former Senate Leader pleaded not guilty to all the charges and instead of opening his defence, filed a no-case submission on August 16, 2016, arguing that he should be discharged on the grounds of absence of any evidence led by the prosecution linking him to the alleged offences.
In denying the charges on Tuesday, Ndume explained how he came in contact with the sect and how he disclosed the necessary information about his interaction with the sect to the then Vice President, Namadi Sambo, and the then Director-General of the State Security Service.
“We have taken the counts from one to four and have analysed them. Clearly, there is nothing in the evidence led by the prosecution that will necessitate the defendant to be called upon to enter his defence in the charge,” he stated.
“Clearly from the totality of the evidence placed before the court, the defendant coming into contact with the Boko Haram sect came about when he was acting on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the presidential committee set up to look at the security challenges in the North-East part of the country.
“The evidence is clear and has been confirmed through cross-examination of the prosecution witnesses. We have shown how the alleged analysis of the mobile phone did not disclose any fact which will necessitate the defendant to defend the charge.
“Clearly, having regards to the four counts before the court, we have analysed the ingredients of the counts and shown how the prosecution has failed to proffer any evidence in support of the ingredients in the four counts.
“We have made the point on the issue of non-disclosure of information and we have demonstrated clearly that the defendant has done everything possible working to bring peace and security to the country, the Federal Republic Nigeria.
“He has brought the necessary facts, which formed the basis of the charge, to the second highest political office holder in the country, the then Vice-President and the Director-General of the SSS at the time.
“There was nothing in that communication rather than greetings. The burden remained on the prosecution and the prosecution never discharged that burden.”
The presiding judge, Justice Kolawole fixed 2 pm on July 4 for ruling.
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