FG gets tough, begins trial of over 600 terrorism suspects

The Federal Government on Monday commenced another phase of mass trials for hundreds of suspected terrorists facing terrorism-related charges in Abuja.

This is as the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), declared that the administration would not treat terrorism with levity.

The prosecution is being led by Fagbemi, while the Director-General of the Legal Aid Council, Aliyu Abubakar, heads the defence team.

The trials, taking place simultaneously in several courtrooms, are expected to last one week.

Some of the judges handling the cases include Justices Binta Nyako, Emeka Nwite, Musa Liman, James Omotosho, Obiora Egwuatu and Ekerete Akpan.

At least 58 suspected terrorists were listed for trial before Justice Nwite on Monday.

Among them are Abba Bukar, Abba Manye, Gujja Mala Bukar, Brem Gonimi, Isa Mohammed, Lawali Dashiri Danke, Yau Tukur (Mai-Auduga), and Bello Liman, also known as Bell Doctor.

The latest proceedings come barely two months after about 500 suspected terrorists were tried between April 7 and April 10 in Abuja.

Speaking with journalists at the commencement of the trials, Fagbemi said the proceedings demonstrated the Federal Government’s commitment to combating terrorism and ensuring the security of Nigerians.

“The message is clear, direct and straightforward. It is that the present administration is not taking the issue of terrorism with levity. And that is why you see ongoing trials,” he said.

According to him, the current exercise marked the fourth phase of terrorism trials under the administration.

“Since the inception of this administration, this is about the fourth phase that we are undertaking. So the message is that let everybody know that terrorism in whatever form or shape will not be tolerated.

“We will fight with every inch of our blood to ensure that we make Nigeria a safe haven for everybody,” the AGF said.

Fagbemi disclosed that more than 600 suspects would be tried during the current phase.

Providing a breakdown of the figures, he said, “For this phase, the ones we have today, we have about 490. Tomorrow we will have 84. But this 84 does not include the 102 we brought forward from the last phase.

“So in total, we have 600 plus to contend with for this phase, and we have been assured by the honourable judges that they will do their utmost to ensure that they clear this number for this phase.”

The mass trial forms part of the Federal Government’s efforts to prosecute individuals accused of terrorism, insurgency and related offences as part of a broader strategy to tackle insecurity across the country.

Meanwhile, two suspects were convicted and sentenced on Monday after pleading guilty to terrorism-related offences.

Justice Binta Nyako sentenced a 55-year-old farmer from Katara village in Borno State, Ali Mustapha, to 15 years imprisonment for concealing information about the activities of the Boko Haram sect.

The judge convicted him after he pleaded guilty to the charge.

Nyako, however, noted his claim that there were no government officials or security agencies in his remote community to whom he could have reported the activities.

She ordered that the 15-year jail term should take effect from 2013, when he was arrested and detained.

In a separate case, the judge sentenced Isa Isiaka, a father of 11 children and husband of two wives, to 20 years’ imprisonment for failing to disclose information about Boko Haram activities to the authorities.

Isiaka was convicted after admitting guilt to terrorism charges filed against him by the Attorney-General of the Federation.

Justice Nyako rejected his plea for leniency and sentenced him to 20 years’ imprisonment without an option of fine.