The Federal Government on Monday commenced another phase of the mass trial of suspected terrorists at the Federal High Court complex in Abuja, as authorities intensified efforts to prosecute terrorism-related offences across the country.

The prosecution team is being led by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, while Aliyu Abubakar, Director-General of the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, heads the legal defence for indigent defendants. The suspects are facing charges bordering on terrorism, terrorism financing, and aiding and abetting insurgent activities.

Proceedings are being conducted simultaneously in multiple courtrooms within the Federal High Court complex, with several judges assigned to handle the cases. The trial is expected to run for one week. Judges presiding over the matters include Justices Binta Nyako, Emeka Nwite, Musa Liman, James Omotosho, Obiora Egwuatu, and Ekerete Akpan.

The large-scale exercise significantly affected regular court activities, as several cases previously scheduled for hearing were adjourned to accommodate the terrorism trials. Security was tightened around the court premises, with armed personnel restricting movement on roads leading to the complex and military vehicles strategically stationed within the vicinity.

The latest proceedings form part of the Federal Government’s ongoing counter-terrorism prosecution programme aimed at accelerating the dispensation of justice in terrorism-related cases.
In April, the government announced the commencement of “Phase Nine” of the mass trial of terrorism suspects.

Speaking at the time, Fagbemi disclosed that the government had secured 386 convictions from 508 terrorism-related cases prosecuted before the courts.