The Federal Government on Tuesday commenced the trial of hundreds of suspects accused of involvement in terrorism related activities across the country at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The suspects are alleged to have taken part in a series of attacks in northern Nigeria, where more than 2000 people were reportedly killed and properties destroyed.
Some of the defendants are also accused of aiding terrorism through financial support, supply of arms and ammunition, as well as provision of food and other logistics to insurgent groups.
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, led the prosecution team, supported by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo.
The defence team was led by the Director of the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, Aliu Bagudu Abubakar, alongside several other lawyers representing the accused persons.
Fagbemi confirmed that 227 suspects were arraigned before 10 judges of the Federal High Court, adding that the government is committed to ensuring justice is served.
He commended the judges for dedicating their time, including the Easter period, to preside over the cases.
To guarantee transparency and adherence to due process, the Federal Government invited observers from international and local organisations, including Amnesty International and the Nigerian Bar Association, to monitor the proceedings.
The suspects were transported to the court under heavy security, with personnel from the Department of State Services, the Nigerian Army, and the police deployed to maintain order.
In one of the cases, Justice Binta Fatima Nyako sentenced a food supplier to Boko Haram insurgents, Hamatu Modu, to a prison term for his involvement in terrorist activities after he admitted in court to supplying food and information to the group.
The court also convicted Isah Ali, another supplier, who was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for supporting insurgents in Borno State.
Similarly, Sheu Buka was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for selling livestock to terrorists, while Hamza Yahuza received a seven year sentence for supplying prohibited items including cannabis and cigarettes to the group.
Justice Nyako further ordered that the convicts undergo rehabilitation and deradicalisation programmes after completing their jail terms.
The Federal Ministry of Interior was directed to determine the correctional facilities where the convicts will serve their sentences.
The trial is expected to continue on April 8, 2026, as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to prosecute individuals linked to terrorism and restore security across affected regions.
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