The Federal Government has secured approximately 150 convictions within the first two days of its latest phase of mass terrorism trials, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has disclosed. Fagbemi made the disclosure on Tuesday while speaking with journalists at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where the judicial proceedings are being conducted simultaneously before 10 judges of the court. The AGF stated that the current phase, which commenced on Monday, had already recorded about 160 trials leading to roughly 150 convictions on its first day alone.
Speaking to reporters at the court premises, the minister stated, “Yesterday, we had about 160 trials. I think about 150 convictions,” He added that proceedings on Tuesday brought approximately 300 cases before the courts, with another 84 cases expected to be concluded before the close of the day. Highlighting the scheduled timeline of the judicial exercise, Fagbemi said, “Whatever we can do, or wherever we stop today, we’ll continue tomorrow and also on Thursday. So it’s still ongoing,” He appealed for patience from members of the public as the exercise continued, stressing that the initiative reflected the commitment of the government to justice, accountability, and the rule of law.
According to the chief law officer, the ongoing phase marks the fourth round of mass terrorism trials conducted since the inception of the current administration, describing the exercise as a clear signal that the government would not tolerate terrorism in any form. Fagbemi added, “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. 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,”
The prosecution team is being led by the AGF himself, while the Director-General of the Legal Aid Council, Aliyu Abubakar, heads the defence team. Among the judges handling the cases are Justices Binta Nyako, Emeka Nwite, Musa Liman, James Omotosho, Obiora Egwuatu, and Ekerete Akpan, with proceedings taking place across several courtrooms simultaneously. The current phase of trials is expected to run through Thursday, with the overall exercise scheduled to last one week. The latest phase follows a previous round conducted between April 7 and April 10, during which no fewer than 500 alleged terrorists were tried before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.
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