FG secures convictions of 125 Boko Haram terrorists and financiers in mass trial

The Federal Government has secured the conviction of fewer than 125 Boko Haram terrorists and financiers at a two-day mass trial held in Kainji town, Niger State.

The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), in a press statement issued on Friday, July 26, 2024 and signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Communication & Publicity, Office of the AGF, Kamarudeen Ogundele, said the defendants were convicted of charges bordering on terrorism, terrorism financing, rendering material support, and cases relating to International Criminal Court (ICC) criminality. 

According to the statement, the special court session is superintended by the AGF in conjunction with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

The trials, held under Giwa Project Kanji Phase Five, between Tuesday and Wednesday, were before five Federal High Court judges led by Justice Binta Nyako.

Others were Justices Joyce Abdulmalik, Emeka Nwite, Obiora Egwuatu, and Mobolaji Olajuwon.

The prosecution team was led by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) of the Federation, Mohammed Babadoko Abubakar, while the defence team was led by Mr Abdulfatai Bakre from the Legal Aids Council.

Others in attendance as international observers were officials of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC).

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 AGF disclosed that 400 defendants who have completed their sentences have also been moved to Operation Safe Corridor in Gombe State for rehabilitation, deradicalisation and subsequent reintegration.