Eight judges of the Federal High Court in Abuja have begun a fresh round of mass trials of terrorism suspects as the Nigerian government continues efforts to prosecute alleged terrorists.
The proceedings began on Thursday across eight courtrooms, with Justices Binta Nyako, James Omotosho, Salim Ibrahim, Emeka Nwite, Obiora Egwuatu, Hauwa Yilwa, Joyce Abdulmalik and Peter Lifu presiding over separate cases.
A total of 34 defendants were scheduled to appear before Justice Ibrahim, while 25 others were listed for hearings before Justice Lifu.
Those listed for arraignment before Justice Ibrahim included Isah Ismail, Alai Goni, Bulama Lawal, Garba Ibrahim, Mallam Modu Abba Kichi, Lawal Alhaji Mamman and Usman Abubakar.
The federal government’s prosecution team was led by Rotimi Oyedepo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, while the Director-General of the Legal Aid Council, Aliyu Abubakar, headed the defence team representing the suspects.
The latest exercise is expected to last several days.
In June, the federal government concluded another round of mass trials, securing about 479 convictions. Twenty-eight defendants were discharged, one was acquitted, while 224 cases were adjourned for further proceedings.
That exercise followed an earlier round in April, during which 508 defendants were prosecuted. The proceedings resulted in 386 convictions, eight discharges and two acquittals, while 112 cases were adjourned to a subsequent phase.
During both previous exercises, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, led the federal government’s prosecution team.
