FG Begins Prosecution Of 500 Boko Haram Suspects In Abuja

The Federal Government on Tuesday commenced the prosecution of 500 suspected Boko Haram members accused of involvement in various terrorist attacks across Nigeria.

The trial, which opened at the Federal High Court in Abuja, is part of ongoing efforts by the government to address terrorism-related offences allegedly committed mainly in the northern parts of the country, where thousands of lives have been lost and properties destroyed.

The suspects are accused of direct participation in terrorist activities, while others allegedly aided and abetted the insurgents through financial support, supply of arms and ammunition, and provision of food and logistics.

The prosecution team is led by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), alongside the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN).

The defence team is headed by the Director of the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, Aliu Bagudu Abubakar, supported by several lawyers representing the accused persons.

Speaking on the development, Fagbemi disclosed that 227 suspects were arraigned on the first day of proceedings before 10 judges of the Federal High Court.

He commended the judges for sacrificing their Easter holiday to ensure the trials commenced as scheduled.

According to the AGF, representatives of international organisations, including Amnesty International, human rights groups, and the Nigerian Bar Association, were invited to observe the proceedings to guarantee transparency and adherence to due process.

The suspects were transported to the court premises in trucks under heavy security provided by armed soldiers, operatives of the Department of State Services, and police personnel.

In one of the cases heard on Tuesday, Justice Binta Fatima Nyako convicted a food supplier to Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State, Hamatu Modu, sentencing him to 40 years’ imprisonment for terrorism-related offences.

Modu, who pleaded guilty to a four-count charge, admitted in open court to supplying food items and information to the terrorist group.

Justice Nyako sentenced him to 10 years on each of the four counts but ordered that the sentences run concurrently following a plea by defence counsel, effectively reducing the prison term to 10 years.

In a related judgment, the court also sentenced another food supplier, Isah Ali, to 10 years’ imprisonment after he confessed to the charges brought against him.

The judge ruled that Ali’s jail term would take effect from the date of his arrest three years ago.

Justice Nyako further directed that both convicts undergo rehabilitation and deradicalisation programmes upon completion of their prison terms.

The court also ordered the Federal Ministry of Interior to determine the correctional facilities where the convicts would serve their sentences See more, full details. .