FG resumes mass trial of Boko Haram suspects

The federal government has commenced a fresh trial of hundreds of suspected Boko Haram insurgents.

Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation, confirmed this in a statement which Salihu Isah, his spokesman, issued on his behalf.

Over 2000 suspects of the insurgent sect are detained at the military detention facility in Kainji, New Bussa, Niger state.

The trial of those arrested during the insurgency began in October.

According to the statement, 468 suspects were released due to insufficient evidence, 45 were sentenced to between two and 15 years in jail, while 28 had their cases transferred.

Unlike the first trial that was done secretly, the renewed trial will be open to journalists and human rights organisations.

Malami said “those discharged will undergo a process of de-radicalisation”, conducted by the office of the national security adviser before they are released to their families.

“Resumption of trial arose from the conclusion of investigation of over 1,000 suspects as ordered by the court during its proceedings of October 2017 by the Office of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice,” the statement read.

“Recall, this exercise which is a concerted effort of the Federal Ministry of Justice and the Office of the National Security Adviser kicked off in Kainji, Niger State on Monday, October 9, 2017.

“Four judges were allocated to four dedicated courts to handle the trial located in a military facility in Kainji while defence counsel were provided for those suspects without capacity to hire private legal practitioners to defend them.

“Unlike the first phase which was restricted, this phase is opened with some civil society groups, including human rights organisation and journalists invited to witness the proceedings.

“Already, about 82 Boko Haram detainees have so far benefitted from the Federal Government’s window to plead guilty to secure low jail terms or unconditional release which is part of President Muhammadu Buhari administration’s concerted effort to boost its human right records and decongest the nation’s prisons.

“As a result, about 45 convictions have also been pronounced by the trial judges in the four syndicated courts established by then acting Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Abuja, Justice Abdu Kafarati. The various Boko Haram suspects were sentenced to jail terms ranging from two years to 15 years and with most of them backdated to the date of their detention.”