KEY POINTS

• The Federal Government has resumed a new phase of mass trials for suspected terrorists in Abuja involving multiple judges and courtrooms.
• Defendants are facing charges of terrorism, financing terrorism, and aiding insurgent activities, with legal aid provided to indigent suspects.
• Authorities say the trials are part of ongoing counter-terrorism efforts, with hundreds of convictions already recorded in earlier phases.

The Federal Government has commenced another phase in the ongoing mass trial of suspected terrorists across Nigeria, as part of efforts to prosecute individuals linked to insurgency, terrorism financing, and related offences.

The trial, which resumed on Monday, is being coordinated by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, alongside a large team of prosecutors and defence lawyers representing indigent defendants.

Proceedings are taking place simultaneously in several courtrooms within the Federal High Court complex in Abuja, with multiple judges assigned to handle different cases.

Among the judges presiding over the various trials are Justice Binta Nyako, Emeka Nwite, Musa Liman, James Omotosho, Obiora Egwuatu, and Ekerete Akpan.

The coordinated arrangement is expected to last for one week, reflecting the scale and complexity of the ongoing terrorism-related prosecutions.

Defendants Face Terrorism-Related Charges

The suspects standing trial are facing a range of charges, including terrorism, financing of terrorism, and providing support or assistance to insurgent groups.

The Federal Government is also ensuring legal representation for defendants who cannot afford private counsel, with the Director-General of the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, Aliyu Abubakar, leading defence lawyers assigned to indigent suspects.

The mass trial has significantly impacted regular court activities at the Federal High Court in Abuja, as many previously scheduled cases have been adjourned to accommodate the terrorism proceedings.

Security around the court premises has also been tightened, with armed operatives restricting access roads and deploying military vehicles to strategic points within the area.

The current phase follows earlier rounds of similar trials. In April, the Federal Government announced the start of “Phase Nine” of the mass prosecution exercise.

At that time, Attorney-General Lateef Fagbemi revealed that 386 convictions had been secured out of 508 terrorism-related cases prosecuted nationwide.

Authorities say the ongoing trials form part of broader efforts to strengthen national security, dismantle terrorist networks, and ensure accountability for individuals involved in violent extremism.