Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) announced that the Federal High Court has convicted 653 individuals in the ongoing mass trial of terrorism suspects.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Fagbemi stated that the court processed 1,060 suspects during the 11th phase of the mass trials running from October 19 to 24, describing it as the largest session since the exercise began.
He revealed that as of 12:15 p.m. on Friday, the court had handled 880 cases, resulting in 653 convictions, seven acquittals, and 27 discharges, with final figures to be released upon completion of the proceedings.
“This is the third phase this year alone. But generally, this is the 11th phase. That is if you consider everything since we started,” he said.
“For this 11th phase… we have 1,060 suspects brought for trial. We are not through with it. As at now, as at quarter past 12 today, we have had about 880 trials. Of these 880, 653 have been convicted, seven acquitted, 27 discharged.
“But by tomorrow, when we finish, I will be able to give, or we will be able to give, the final figure. We would also observe that this appears to be the largest since we started,” he added.
Backstory…
On October 15, the government commenced another round of trials on terrorism suspects at the Federal High Court in Abuja, with several judges hearing cases simultaneously.
The proceedings are part of the continuing effort to address terrorism-related cases through coordinated court sittings involving federal prosecutors and defence lawyers from the Legal Aid Council.
The government says the programme is designed to strengthen accountability and support rehabilitation and deradicalization for convicted persons, as Nigeria continues to confront insurgency and other forms of insecurity.
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