By John Ikani
The trial of some Bureau De Change operators (BDC) arrested in March 2021 for allegedly sponsoring Boko Haram terrorists, has been scheduled for September 17, 2021 by the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.
The suspected sponsors were arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) for allegedly facilitating the transfer of money to Boko Haram terrorists.
Disclosing details of the scheduled trial to Sahara Reporters, a source said the BDC operators trial will hold at Court Room 4 of the Federal High Court.
“I just confirmed their next sitting. It will be on 17th September, Court Room No 4, Federal High Court Abuja, behind the Federal Ministry of Justice. Time: 10am,” the source said.
According to the source, the court which first sat on the 18th of August, could not go on with the trial because the DSS failed to bring the suspects to court.
He went on to disclose that the lawyer of the BDC operators requested that his clients appear in court during the next sitting which was on September 2, but the absence of the judge stalled the trial.
The source noted, “The association of bureau de change operators hired a barrister for their members. They went for a court sitting and the barrister wanted the DSS to bring his clients for the next sitting.
“The judge asked the DSS to bring the clients. But even during the second court sitting, the operators were absent. The DSS asked the judge to give them extra days but he said no that they already had enough time to carry out an investigation.
“The hearing was scheduled for September 2 again but the DSS did not come to the court with the operators and the judge was not feeling well so it was rescheduled again.”
