The Federal Government on Monday launched a fresh round of terrorism-related trials at the Federal High Court in Abuja, intensifying efforts to prosecute individuals accused of terrorism and insurgency-linked offences.
Leading the prosecution is the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, while the Director-General of the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, Aliyu Abubakar, is coordinating legal representation for defendants unable to afford counsel.
The suspects are facing charges ranging from terrorism and terrorism financing to aiding and supporting insurgent activities. Hearings are taking place simultaneously across several courtrooms, with multiple judges assigned to the cases. The exercise is expected to continue for one week.
Judges handling the matters include Justices Binta Nyako, Emeka Nwite, Musa Liman, James Omotosho, Obiora Egwuatu, and Ekerete Akpan.
The large-scale proceedings disrupted normal court activities, leading to the adjournment of several previously scheduled cases. Security around the court complex was also heightened, with armed security personnel restricting access to surrounding roads and military vehicles deployed within the area.
The trials form part of the Federal Government’s ongoing counter-terrorism strategy aimed at speeding up the prosecution of terrorism-related cases nationwide.
Earlier this year, the government announced the commencement of Phase Nine of its terrorism trial programme. At the time, the Attorney-General revealed that 386 convictions had been secured from 508 terrorism-related cases already concluded.