The Department of State Services on Wednesday, the 4th of March, 2026, informed a Federal High Court in Abuja that it followed due process while questioning suspects linked to the 2021 bombing of the United Nations House.
The agency insisted that all statements obtained from the accused persons were given willingly and without pressure.
A prosecution witness, identified as PW3, made the disclosure during a trial-within-trial ordered by Justice Emeka Nwite. The proceeding is meant to determine whether the confessional statements credited to the five defendants were made voluntarily.
During cross-examination by defence lawyers, including counsel to the third and fifth defendants, the witness said investigators acting for the DSS held several sessions with the suspects between 2016 and 2017.
He stated that he could not recall the exact number of interviews conducted but maintained that each session complied with legal standards and accepted global practices.
The witness added that interrogations were audio and video recorded in line with DSS procedures.
He said the agency respects legal safeguards and the rights of detainees. He explained that informal activities, such as restroom use or family visits, are not part of official recordings.
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“Statement obtained from 3rd and 5th defendants were audio-visual recorded. Statement must not be made and are not made under duress, intimidation, oppression, threat, torture or any kind of promise.”
Responding to questions from counsel to the fourth defendant, the witness said established procedures were observed throughout the process.
“In respect of the 4th defendant there was the administration of cautionary statement ‘You are not obliged to say or do anything but anything that you do, say or write will be taken in evidence and may be produced in evidence before the court.”
He explained that the caution was delivered in the defendant’s language and that the suspect was informed of his right to legal representation. The fourth defendant, he said, chose to proceed after confirming he understood his rights.
Following the testimony, the court fixed the 26th of March for the continuation of the trial-within-trial.