A mass trial held in Kainji, Niger State, has resulted in the conviction of 125 Boko Haram terrorists and financiers.
The trials, which took place over two days, saw the defendants face charges ranging from terrorism financing to International Criminal Court (ICC) related crimes.
According to reports, 85 individuals were found guilty of terrorism financing, while 22 were convicted of ICC related crimes. The remaining defendants were found guilty of terrorism.
“No fewer than 125 Boko Haram terrorists and financiers have been convicted in the resumed mass trial held over two days in Kainji, Niger State.
“They were convicted of charges bordering on terrorism, terrorism financing, rendering material support, and cases relating to International Criminal Court (ICC) criminality.
“The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), is superintending over the trial in conjunction with the Office of the National Security Adviser,” Special Adviser to the President on Communication & Publicity, Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, Kamarudeen Ogundele said in a statement on Friday.
Additionally, 400 defendants who have completed their sentence have been moved to Operation Safe Corridor in Gombe State for rehabilitation, deradicalization, and subsequent reintegration.
The trials were presided over by a five-member panel of Federal High Court judges led by Justice Binta Nyako. Others are Justices Joyce Abdulmalik, Emeka Nwite, Obiora Egwuatu, and Mobolaji Olajuwon.
The prosecution team was led by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Mohammed Babadoko Abubakar, while the defence team was led by Mr Abdulfatai Bakre from the Legal Aids Council.
THE WHISTLER had reported that the resumption of the mass trial of over 300 terrorism suspects by the federal government.
The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) stated on Wednesday, that the trials are a collaborative effort between the Complex Casework Group (CCG) of the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), and other critical stakeholders.
International observers from organizations such as the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) were also in attendance.
The NCTC spokesperson noted that prior to the resumption of the trials, over 800 case files were reviewed, and charges were drafted to ensure efficient prosecution.
Court Convicts 125 Boko Haram Terrorists, Financiers In Mass Trial is first published on The Whistler Newspaper