In a decisive legal action, the Federal Government of Nigeria has announced the conviction of 125 Boko Haram terrorists and their financiers following a resumed mass trial held over two days in Kainji, Niger State. The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), disclosed the convictions in a statement released by the Special Adviser to the President on Communication & Publicity, Kamarudeen Ogundele.
The convicts faced charges encompassing terrorism, terrorism financing, providing material support, and crimes related to the International Criminal Court (ICC). The trials, conducted under the Giwa Project Kanji Phase Five, took place between Tuesday and Wednesday before a panel of five Federal High Court judges led by Justice Binta Nyako. The panel also included Justices Joyce Abdulmalik, Emeka Nwite, Obiora Egwuatu, and Mobolaji Olajuwon.
Attorney General Fagbemi underscored the collaborative efforts between the Ministry of Justice and the Office of the National Security Adviser in overseeing the trials. The prosecution team was led by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Mohammed Babadoko Abubakar, while the defence was headed by Mr. Abdulfatai Bakre from the Legal Aids Council.
International observers present at the trial included representatives from the National Human Rights Commission, the Nigerian Bar Association, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, among others. The trials resulted in the conviction of 85 individuals for terrorism financing, 22 for ICC-related crimes, and others for various acts of terrorism, with all sentenced to varying prison terms.
“The courts convicted 85 persons for terrorism financing, 22 for ICC-related crimes, while others were convicted for terrorism. They were sentenced to various jail terms,” the statement read. Additionally, it was noted that 400 defendants who had completed their sentences were transferred to Operation Safe Corridor in Gombe State for rehabilitation, deradicalisation, and subsequent reintegration.
This significant legal milestone marks a crucial step in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to combat terrorism and ensure justice for the victims of Boko Haram’s atrocities.
