The Federal Government has commenced another phase of mass terrorism trials involving more than 600 suspected terrorists in Abuja, reaffirming its commitment to tackling terrorism and strengthening national security.
The week-long proceedings, which began on Monday, are taking place simultaneously in several courtrooms of the Federal High Court.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), is leading the prosecution, while the Director-General of the Legal Aid Council, Aliyu Abubakar, heads the defence team.
Judges presiding over the cases include Justices Binta Nyako, Emeka Nwite, Musa Liman, James Omotosho, Obiora Egwuatu and Ekerete Akpan.
At least 58 suspects appeared before Justice Emeka Nwite on the opening day of the trials. Some of the defendants include Abba Bukar, Abba Manye, Gujja Mala Bukar, Brem Gonimi, Isa Mohammed, Lawali Dashiri Danke, Yau Tukur (Mai-Auduga) and Bello Liman, also known as Bell Doctor.
Speaking at the commencement of the trials, Fagbemi said the exercise demonstrates the Federal Government’s determination to confront terrorism and ensure the safety of Nigerians.
He described the ongoing proceedings as the fourth phase of terrorism trials under the current administration, stressing that terrorism in any form would not be tolerated.
According to him, about 490 suspects are scheduled for trial in the current sitting, while an additional 84 suspects will appear before the courts on Tuesday, excluding 102 cases carried over from the previous phase.
Fagbemi expressed confidence that the judges would conclude the cases assigned for the current phase within the scheduled period.
The latest exercise follows an earlier round of mass trials conducted in Abuja between April 7 and April 10, during which about 500 suspected terrorists were arraigned.
Meanwhile, two defendants were convicted and sentenced after pleading guilty to terrorism-related offences.
Justice Binta Nyako sentenced Ali Mustapha, a 55-year-old farmer from Katara village in Borno State, to 15 years imprisonment for concealing information about the activities of the Boko Haram insurgent group. The court ordered that his sentence should take effect from 2013, the year of his arrest and detention.
In a separate judgment, Justice Nyako sentenced Isa Isiaka to 20 years imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to failing to disclose information about Boko Haram activities to the authorities. The court imposed the sentence without the option of a fine.
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