The Department of State Services (DSS) has re-arraigned Husseni Ismaila also known as Maitangaran, the alleged mastermind of the 2014 Kano bomb attacks, at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

During the proceedings, the prosecuting counsel, Mr E.A. Aduda, informed the court of an amended four-count charge against the defendant. Ismaila pleaded not guilty to charges including professing to be a member of Boko Haram and direct participation in the 2014 Kano Central Mosque bombing, leading to multiple deaths.

The defense counsel, Peter Dajang, contested the trial, citing the prosecution’s non-compliance with a court order to transfer the defendant to the Kuje Correctional Centre. Dajang argued that the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the prosecution’s request to vary the order.

In response, the prosecuting counsel stated that an application to vary the order had been filed, and the judge adjourned the matter to January 25, 2024, for a ruling on the application. The substantive matter is scheduled to continue on February 7, 2024.