Bodija explosion: Court remands woman, 2 men

A Federal High Court in Ibadan on Wednesday ordered that a woman and two men be remanded for their roles in the Jan. 16 Bodija explosion in Ibadan.

The police charged a woman, Ramatu Camara, 47; Ganiu Malik, 20; and Abubakar Samasa, 64, with conspiracy, use of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, stock piling of radioactive materials, and dispersal of biological weapons.

They pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Justice E.U. Akpan ordered that they be remanded in the Agodi correctional centre.

Akpan adjourned the suit until April 11 for a hearing on their bail applications.

Earlier, the police prosecutor, Mr Michael Ojeah, told the court that Camara, Malik and Samasa were facing a five-count charge

Ojeah further added that the defendants and others at large committed the crime at about 7.30 p.m on Jan. 16, at Aderinola of Dejo-Oyelese Street, Adeyi Avenue, Old Bodija Ibadan, Oyo State.

The prosecution said the defendants stored radioactive materials inside a building, which exploded and led to the deaths of a 65-year-old woman known as Bolanle Badmus and 13 others.

He subsequently informed the court that he was prepared to present his case.

However, the defence counsel, Mr. Adeola Adebayo, prayed to the court for a short adjournment in order to file some applications.

According to the prosecutor, the offence contravened the provisions of sections 26, 42 (A) and (B), 43(1) (A), and (2) (C) 1 (A) 58 (1) (A) of the Terrorism, Prohibition, and Prevention Act 2022.