After 5yrs, Sen Ndume finally escapes terrorism charges

Senator Ali Ndume who represents Borno South was on Tuesday freed of the terrorism charges filed against him by the federal government in December 2011.

Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court in Abuja ruled on the matter and cited no prima facie case following a no case submission argued by Mr Ricky Tarfa, Ndume’s lawyer.

In his ruling, Justice Kolawole observed that although the defendant admitted to contacts with Boko Haram owing to his membership of the Presidential Committee on Security Challenges in the North-East and as one who volunteered information to the Director of the Department of State Security, as well as the former Vice President, Namadi Sambo, the prosecution failed to invite them to provide evidence in the trial.

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This failure, Justice Kolawole concluded, was fatal to the prosecution’s case.

While it is possible that the federal government will appeal this ruling, Senator Ndume can at least enjoy a temporary respite after years of a sensitive legal battle with its accompanying political baggage.

Senator Ndume will be hopeful that a similar outcome will follow his ongoing battle with the senate leadership.

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