By Femi Osinusi
Eleven years after the twin bomb blasts that rocked Nyanya, a suburb of Abuja, killing more than 75 people and injuring hundreds, survivors and families of victims are still waiting for justice as the trial drags on.
The April 2014 attack, one of the deadliest acts of terrorism in the nation’s capital, led to the arrest and arraignment of several suspects. However, the trial, which began that same year, has been marred by repeated adjournments, prosecutorial lapses, and systemic delays. The case remains unresolved more than a decade later, raising doubts about Nigeria’s capacity to deliver timely justice in terrorism cases.
Legal experts have described the prolonged delays as both “tragic” and “avoidable.” Criminal law expert, Mrs. Yemisi Lawal, based in Port Harcourt, said: “It is unacceptable that a case involving mass murder is still dragging on after 11 years. The delays are caused by poor prosecution preparedness, routine adjournments, and judges being reassigned mid-trial.”
Mrs. Favour Okonkwo, another lawyer experienced in terrorism cases, noted that endless adjournments and lack of judicial continuity compound the problem. “Sometimes prosecutors are not ready, witnesses are unavailable, or judges are transferred, forcing the trial to start afresh. It’s a cycle of frustrations,” she said, while calling for more special terrorism courts.
For Abuja-based lawyer Mr. Kosun Bako, underfunding and lack of technical support also stall progress. “Prosecution teams have no forensic resources, no witness protection, and poor logistics. Without these, it is difficult to prove complex cases,” he argued, urging government to set up a dedicated fund for terrorism trials.
For families, the delay is deeply painful. Mrs. Stella Ibegbunam, who lost her sister in the bombing, said: “Each adjournment reopens the wound. We want justice here on earth, not in heaven.”
