FG resumes mass trial of 300 terrorism suspects

The National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC), under the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), says the federal government has resumed mass trial of terrorism suspects. 

In a statement on Wednesday, Michael Abu, head of strategic communication at NCTC-ONSA, said the trial would be conducted in line with the international criminal justice system.

Abu said there are at least 300 people on trial, and the five courts and chambers set up for the prompt administration of justice are presided by five judges.

He added that lawyers from the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria were representing the suspects.

“In pursuance of its commitment to promoting social justice by entrenching a transparent administrative system, the federal government has resumed mass trials of persons allegedly involved in terrorism and suspects of other heinous crimes against the Nigerian state,” the statement reads.

“The ongoing trial, which is in line with the international criminal justice system, is being administered by the federal high court of Nigeria, with the complex casework group of the office of the attorney-general of the federation, in collaboration with other critical stakeholders under the coordination and supervision of the national counter-terrorism centre, office of the National Security Adviser.

“More than 300 suspects are on trial with five reputable judges manning the five courts and chambers set up for the speedy administration of justice on the ongoing trial in terrorism and other related cases in the country.

“The trial involves multiple stakeholders, CCG prosecutors, and defence counsel from the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria.

“Before now, over 800 case files have been reviewed, and charges are drafted for efficient prosecution to ensure that justice is appropriately served.

“Between 2017 and 2018, the trials so far resulted in 163 convictions, 882 discharges, and five acquittals.

“Non-culpable suspects are being deradicalised and engaged in profitable ventures, and efforts to reintegrate them are being sustained.

“The NCTC-ONSA is working assiduously with relevant authorities in fulfilling its mandates and boosting the efforts of the incumbent administration towards realising good governance and a just society.”