Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Friday, admitted the extra judicial statements made by three terror accused persons to the Department of State Service (DSS) in the terrorism charges preferred against them, noting the defendants were not coerced.
The defendants are being tried for allegedly spying on the US, and Israel s interests for individuals in Iran.
Haruna Ali Abbas, Ibrahim Hussaini Musa and Adam Sulaiman were accused of spying on the US, and Israel ‘s interests for individuals in Iran.
The case, which has been ongoing since 2014 and re-assigned multiple times, reached a point in August 2025 during a trial-within-trial to determine if the defendants’ alleged extra-judicial statements were made voluntarily or under dures
Declare state of emergency on insecurity now – Atiku tells Tinubu
The defendants claimed that they were coerced, harassed and intimidated to make their statements, while the prosecution argued that the statements were made voluntarily and kept in a conducive atmosphere.
The prosecution claimed that the accused persons read through the statements, through the cautionary words and signed, hence, should be admitted in evidence.
Justice Nwite, who ordered a trial within trial allowed both parties to call witnesses who gave evidence.
NDLEA intercepts cocaine-laden vessel from Brazil, detains 20 Filipinos (VIDEO)
The prosecution, who called three witnesses, said they conducted their operations within the best standard procedure, as they paid attention to the welfare of suspects in their custody in terms of food and medications while also allowing them access to their families.
The defendants on the other hand recounted their alleged torture in the DSS facility, alleging that they were beaten and given inhuman treatment.
After hearing arguments from both the prosecution and defense counsel, Justice Nwite on Friday ruled that the defendants’ statements be admitted in evidence.
The Judge held that the prosecution through the witnesses proved to the court that they were not forced to make their statements.
Justice Nwite after admitting the statements as exhibits adjourned the matter to January 22, 2026 for substantive hearing.
