By Praise Musa
On Friday, the Federal Government announced the conviction of 125 Boko Haram terrorists and their financiers following a resumed mass trial held over two days in Kainji, Niger State.
In a statement from the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), communicated by Kamarudeen Ogundele, the Special Adviser to the President on Communication & Publicity, it was disclosed that the convicts faced charges including terrorism, terrorism financing, providing material support, and crimes related to the International Criminal Court.
The trials, part of the Giwa Project Kanji Phase Five, took place on Tuesday and Wednesday before a panel of five Federal High Court judges led by Justice Binta Nyako. The panel also included Justices Joyce Abdulmalik, Emeka Nwite, Obiora Egwuatu, and Mobolaji Olajuwon. All 125 individuals were found guilty of the charges against them.
The statement noted, “The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), is overseeing the trial in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser.”
The prosecution was led by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Mohammed Babadoko Abubakar, while the defense team was headed by Mr. Abdulfatai Bakre from the Legal Aid Council. International observers included representatives from the National Human Rights Commission, the Nigerian Bar Association, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
The courts convicted 85 individuals for terrorism financing and 22 for ICC-related crimes, with the remainder convicted for terrorism. They received various prison sentences. Additionally, 400 defendants who have completed their sentences have been transferred to Operation Safe Corridor in Gombe State for rehabilitation, deradicalisation, and subsequent reintegration.
