A NOT GUILTY plea has been entered on behalf of a Nigerian man charged with attempting to blow up a Detroit-bound US airliner on Christmas Day.

A young Nigerian man, wearing a white T-shirt and trainers, made his first public court appearance in Detroit tonight to face charges of trying to ignite a chemical-laden explosive on a US airliner on Christmas Day.

The man charged with attempting to blow up a plane on Christmas Day is due to appear in court in the US.

A Nigerian charged with trying to blow up a packed US airliner on Christmas Day will appear in court in Detroit, Michigan, today.

US Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano conceded today that the aviation security system failed when a man on a watchlist with a powerful explosive hidden on his body was allowed to board a fight from Amsterdam to Detroit.