The trial of five persons suspected to be masterminds of the October 2, 2015 bomb blast in Kuje and Nyanya, two satellite towns of Abuja, has been stalled following the inability of the Nigeria Prisons Service to produce the accused persons in court.

At the resumed hearing of the case filed by the Federal Government against Abdulazeez Muhazab, Ishaku Salihu, Mohammed Jimoh, Abduwaheed Nasiru and Abdullahi Nasiru, on Tuesday, the prosecutor, Mohammed Diri, expressed regret that the accused persons and officials of the Nigeria Prisons Service were absent from the court.

He added that the absence of the accused persons might be due to the fuel scarcity being experienced in the Federal Capital Territory.

Lawyer to three of the accused persons, Mr Nureni Sulyman, however, prayed the court to ensure an accelerated hearing, saying the liberty of the accused persons was at stake.

Mr Diri, who informed the court that he had filed an application for the protection of witnesses, however, promised to ensure that the accused persons are present in court at the next adjourned date.

The trial judge, Justice Abdu Kafarati, subsequently adjourned the case to the December 17 for hearing. (Channels TV)

•Photo shows Abuja bomb blasts suspects.