Nigeria asks to observe bomber proceedings

DETROIT, June 22 (UPI) -- Nigerian officials want to observe proceedings in the case of accused Christmas Day bomber Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, their Detroit attorney said in a motion.

Detroit attorney Kayode Oladele said in the motion filed Monday the Nigerian government wants to observe all proceedings and receive all court filings "to ensure that the integrity of Nigeria is well protected," The Detroit News reported Tuesday.

The Nigerian national is accused of concealing explosive materials in his underwear and trying to detonate them as a Northwest Airlines flight from Amsterdam approached Detroit Metropolitan Airport on Dec. 25. He was subdued by other passengers and crew, who also extinguished a small fire that broke out during the flight.

Abdulmutallab faces charges that include attempted murder and attempted use of weapons of mass destruction. He is being held at a Milan, Mich., penal facility.

"The government of Nigeria has a zero tolerance for terrorism and the government is committed to all the United Nations resolutions in the fight against terrorism," Oladele said in the court filing.

Because of "overriding public interest" in the case, Nigeria asked "to formally observe the proceedings for the purpose of ensuring that the defendant, who is a citizen of Nigeria, is accorded fair trial thereby protecting his rights to due process," the document said.