The Federal Government has arraigned 227 terrorism suspects before the Federal High Court in Abuja, marking the commencement of phase 9 of its ongoing mass trial of terrorism-related cases.
The exercise, led by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, is part of a broader prosecution effort involving about 500 suspects expected to face trial within the week.
According to the AGF, the suspects were distributed across 10 courtrooms and handled by multiple judges, who sat despite the court’s Easter vacation to underscore the urgency of the proceedings.
Fagbemi noted that the scale and coordination of the trial reflect the government’s commitment to tackling terrorism and related offences across the country.
The suspects were brought to court under tight security, with armed personnel deployed around the court complex and major access routes in Abuja.
Traditionally conducted in Kainji, Niger State, the trials were relocated to Abuja due to logistical challenges and the availability of more courtrooms.
Several defendants were convicted on the first day after pleading guilty to charges linked to terrorism, particularly involving support for Boko Haram activities in the North-East.
Among those sentenced were individuals found guilty of aiding insurgents through supplies, logistics, and financial support. Some received prison terms ranging from seven to 20 years, depending on the severity of their offences.
Presiding judges, including Binta Nyako and Emeka Nwite, handled different batches of cases, with additional proceedings overseen by other members of the judiciary.
In some instances, the court ordered that convicted persons undergo rehabilitation and deradicalisation programmes after serving their sentences.
The Director General of the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, Aliyu Abubakar, explained that many suspects were charged for providing material or financial support to terrorist groups, which under Nigerian law constitutes terrorism financing.
He added that a significant number of defendants admitted to the charges, leading to swift convictions, while a few were discharged and acquitted after spending years in detention.
The mass trial is expected to continue through the week as authorities intensify efforts to address terrorism cases and clear long-standing backlogs within the justice system.