600 SUSPECTED TERRORISTS SET TO FACE TRAILS IN HIGH COURT

The Federal Government of Nigeria has commenced new phase of trial against suspected terrorists.The suspects were brought before several judges at sittings at the Federal High Court , Abuja.

The prosecution , set to hold  in Niger State, have shifted to the Federal High Court complex in Abuja’s District, where several courtrooms hear terrorism-related cases.

According to the country's Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, another 90 suspects will be arraigned on Tuesday to bring the total number for this batch to almost 600.

Among the judges handling the cases are Justices Binta Nyako, James Omotosho, Salim Ibrahim, Emeka Nwite, Obiora Egwuatu, Hauwa Yilwa, Joyce Abdulmalik and Peter Lifu.

Remember that the government also conducted trials for more than 500 terrorist suspects in April this year, where many of them were convicted and the court gave them different punishments, from three years to life imprisonment.

According to court records, no fewer than 34 suspected terrorists were listed for proceedings before Justice Ibrahim on Thursday, while another 25 defendants appeared on the cause list of Justice Lifu’s court.

Some of the defendants 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 legal team was led by the Director of Public Prosecution, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), rather than the Attorney-General of the Federation, who usually leads the prosecution team.

For the defence, the Director-General of the Legal Aid Council, Aliyu Abubakar, led the team of lawyers.

The federal government razed different allegations against the suspects, such as taking part in terror attacks or supporting the insurgents by giving them food, money, fuel, or information.

The Attorney-General of the Federation, oiuMr. Fagbemi told journalists at the court on Monday that this exercise is to show that the present government in Nigeria is determined to fight terrorism and insecurity to a standstill.

He added that this is the fourth set of terror suspects that the government has brought to court since they came to power.

The AGF said they have received assurance from the judges handling the cases that they will do their part to make sure they clear the numbers for this batch, and that the trial will meet every standard of the rule of law.