A grand jury has indicted Nigerian bomb suspect Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab accused of trying to blow up a Detroit-bound Northwest Airlines flight on Christmas Day.
According to federal documents, the six charges against Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab are:
•attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction;
•attempted murder within the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States;
•willful attempt to destroy and wreck an aircraft within the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States;
•willfully placing a destructive device on an aircraft; and
•two counts possession of a destructive device in furtherance of a crime of violence.
The indictment was filed yesterday.
Authorities said Abdulmutallab, 23, was travelling to Detroit from Amsterdam when he tried to blow up the plane carrying nearly 300 people by injecting chemicals into a package of pentrite explosive concealed in his underwear.
The failed attack caused popping sounds and flames that passengers and crew rushed to extinguish.
Since then, airlines and the Transportation Security Administration have boosted security in airports in the U.S. and around the world.
There is no specific mention of terrorism in the seven-page indictment, but President Barack Obama considers the incident a failed strike against the United States by an affiliate of al-Qaida.
Abdulmutallab has told U.S. investigators he received training and instructions from al-Qaida operatives in Yemen. His father warned the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria that his son had drifted into extremism in the al-Qaida hotbed of Yemen, but that threat was never fully digested by the U.S. security apparatus.
Abdulmutallab He is being held at a federal prison in Milan, Mich. A message seeking comment was left yesterday with his lawyer, Miriam Siefer.
nigeria spoke yesterday of its "disappointment" and "concern" over the United States’ listing of this country’s citizens for strict screening at airport.
The Federal Government said the US action may affect the two countries’ relations.
After reviewing the situation, it resolved that Nigeria does not deserve the inclusion, the government said in Abuja.
The suspect Farouk Abdulmutallab, though Nigerian born, has been educated and bred outside Nigeria. Besides, he only transited through Nigeria for less than 30 minutes on the fateful day.
Abdulmutallab is accused of attempting to blow up a plane in Detroit, United States, on Christmas Day.
Rising from its first Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting of the year presided over by the Vice President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, the government submitted that the US action is capable of undermining US-Nigeria relationship.
Minister of Information and Communications Prof Dora Akunyili, with whom were Minister of Power Mr Lanre Babalola and Minister of State for Information and Communications Ikra Bilbis, described the listing of Nigeria as disturbing because Nigeria has signed and ratified nine of the 16 United Nations (UN) and African Union (AU) instruments on counter-terrorism.
The minister hinted that the government was strengthening security, with an ordered for the supply of eight body scanners.
Farouk, son of prominent banker Alhaji Umaru Mutallab, has reportedly been known for his radical religious views following which his father reported his conduct to Nigerian and United States security agencies.
A statement read by Mrs Akunyili said: "The Federal Executive Council (FEC) at the meeting of January 6, 2010 reviewed the events of December 25th and resolved as follows: Nigeria expresses its disappointment and concern over the under served placement of Nigeria on the country of interest list and views this action as having the potential of undermining longstanding and established US-Nigeria bilateral ties and the goodwill the US enjoys in Nigeria.
"It is on record that Nigeria has signed and ratified nine of the 16 UN and AU instruments on counter-terrorism dealing with issues ranging from money laundering, drug trafficking, crime, to nuclear terrorism. This is in addition to its various roles in peacekeeping which have earned it international recognition and commendations of the UN.
"Nigeria has since December 25 expressed its deep sorrow and dismay over the incident which it condemned in all its ramifications. It is noteworthy that Mr. Farouk Abdulmutallab, though Nigerian-born, has been educated and bred outside Nigeria and only transited through Nigeria for less than 30 minutes on the fateful day where he underwent regular airport security."
Mrs Akunyili, in response to a question, said the government has ordered for eight body scanners for the nation’s airports.
The scanners are expected to arrive in the country in the next two weeks.
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