The federal government has initiated the trial of a new group of individuals accused of terrorism, primarily from the Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) factions.
During the court sessions, 227 defendants were presented before ten judges at the Federal High Court in Abuja. The prosecution was led by the Attorney- General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, alongside the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Mr Rotimi Oyedepo. The Legal Aid Council of Nigeria (LACON), represented by its Director-General, Aliu Bagudu Abubakar, provided legal representation for the accused.
A significant number of the defendants have admitted guilt to charges that include supplying logistical support, provisions, and other materials to insurgents, as well as paying a form of tax known as "Zakat." The court has imposed sentences ranging from the minimum of 20 years imprisonment to the maximum of life imprisonment for these offences.
Briefing journalists, Fagbemi announced that approximately 500 individuals currently detained in military facilities in Kainji, Niger State, and Maiduguri, Borno State, have been processed and are scheduled for arraignment at the special court. The trials are expected to continue throughout the week, potentially extending into the weekend.
Fagbemi expressed gratitude to the judges for dedicating their rest period to address this critical national security matter. He noted that this session marks phase nine of the trials, with the objective of processing the 500 profiled suspects.
He emphasised that the trials are being conducted with transparency, inviting international organisations such as Amnesty International, civil society groups, the Nigerian Bar Association, international and local media, as well as private legal practitioners to observe the proceedings.
Aliu Bagudu Abubakar, the Director-General of LACON, confirmed that his organisation had engaged with all defendants prior to their arraignment to assist with their defence preparations. He added that the recently added defendants were interviewed in Abuja before their court appearance.
Abubakar observed that the high number of guilty pleas has streamlined the judicial process. Regarding defendants convicted for paying taxes to Boko Haram, he clarified that such financial or material contributions to terrorist groups are legally considered part of terrorism financing.
He further explained that some individuals were convicted not for active participation in terrorist activities, but for association with insurgent groups, which is considered a serious offence under the law. He also highlighted instances where defendants were discharged and acquitted, underscoring the trial's transparent nature.
In one specific case, Justice Binta Nyako sentenced Hamatu Modu, identified as a major supplier of foodstuffs to Boko Haram in Borno State, to 40 years imprisonment for his involvement in terrorist activities. Modu had pleaded guilty to all four charges.
The court ordered the sentences on the four counts to run concurrently, effectively meaning the convict would serve 10 years. Modu's sentence was ordered to commence from the date of his arrest.
Another food supplier from Borno State received a 10-year jail term from Justice Nyako. This sentence was backdated to three years prior, corresponding to his detention period.
The court mandated that the convicts undergo rehabilitation and de- radicalisation programs following their prison terms, with the Ministry of Interior designated to determine their places of incarceration.
In a separate judgment, Sheu Buka, a father of three, was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for selling goats to Boko Haram terrorists in Borno State. The judge denied a plea for leniency, citing the pervasive nature of terrorism across Nigeria and the gravity of supporting terrorist activities.
Furthermore, Hamza Yahuza, a father of six, received a seven-year prison sentence for selling cannabis and cigarettes to Boko Haram terrorists in Borno State. Yahuza admitted to the offence, which occurred in 2023, and also confessed to supplying various illicit substances to the terrorists in the Monguno Local Government Area of Borno State.
Justice Nyako dismissed the notion that poverty drove Yahuza's actions and ordered his sentence to commence from March 6, 2023, the date of his custody.
The trial is scheduled to continue on Wednesday.
In a separate incident, six individuals were killed and several others sustained injuries during a late-night attack by armed bandits in Sabon Garin Pali, Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State.
Reports indicate that the bandits launched their assault on Sunday night, engaging in indiscriminate shooting and house-to-house raids.
A local resident recounted the suddenness of the attack, which occurred while villagers were asleep, catching them unprepared.
According to villagers, the bandits systematically searched homes for valuables and killed residents during the operation, which lasted over two hours.
A source, who requested anonymity, stated that no security forces intervened, leaving the villagers vulnerable to the bandits.
Funeral prayers for the victims were held in the village, led by the Chief Imam, with attendance from residents and people from neighbouring communities.
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