No fewer than 125 Boko Haram terrorists and financiers have been convicted in the resumed mass trial held over two days in Kainji, Niger State.
They were convicted of charges bordering on terrorism, terrorism financing, rendering material support, and cases relating to International Criminal Court (ICC) criminality.
The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), is superintending over the trial in conjunction with the Office of the National Security Adviser.
The trials held under Giwa Project Kanji Phase Five, between Tuesday and Wednesday, were before five Federal High Court judges led by Justice Binta Nyako.
Justices Joyce Abdulmalik, Emeka Nwite, Obiora Egwuatu, and Mobolaji Olajuwon are also present.
The Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Mohammed Babadoko Abubakar, led the prosecution team, while Mr Abdulfatai Bakre led the defence team from the Legal Aids Council.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) are also in attendance as international observers.
The courts convicted 85 persons for terrorism financing, 22 for ICC-related crimes, while others were convicted for terrorism. They were sentenced to various jail terms.
It is also noteworthy that 400 defendants who have completed their sentences have been moved to Operation Safe Corridor in Gombe State for rehabilitation, deradicalisation, and subsequent reintegration.
The statement read in part “The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), is superintending over the trial in conjunction with the Office of the National Security Adviser.
“The prosecution team was led by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Mohammed Babadoko Abubakar, while the defence team was led by Mr Abdulfatai Bakre from the Legal Aids Council” the statement disclosed.
“Others in attendance as international observers are the National Human Rights Commission, the Nigerian Bar Association, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes among others.
“The courts convicted 85 persons for terrorism financing, 22 for ICC-related crimes while others were convicted for terrorism. They were sentenced to various jail terms.
“It is also noteworthy that 400 defendants who have completed their sentence have also been moved to Operation Safe Corridor in Gombe State for rehabilitation, deradicalisation and subsequent reintegration”.
