FG begins mass trial of another batch of suspected terrorists in Abuja

The Federal Government, on Monday, commenced another batch of mass trial of suspected terrorists charged with terrorism-related offences in Abuja.

The the trial, which usually takes place at Kainji in Niger, was moved to the the Federal High Court (FHC) in Abuja.

The prosecution of the defendants is being led by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Mr Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), while the Director-General, Legal Aid Council, Mr. Aliyu Abubakar, led the team of lawyers for the defence.

The trial, which is taking place in all the courts at the high-rise building, is expected to last for a week.

Some of the trial judges are Justice Binta Nyako, Justice Emeka Nwite, Justice Musa Liman, Justice James Omotosho, Justice Obiora Egwuatu, Justice Ekerete Akpan, among others.

No fewer than 58 suspected terrorists were listed for trial on Monday before Justice Nwite.

They are Abba Bukar, Abba Manye, Gujja Mala Bukar, Brem Gonimi, Isa Mohammed, Lawali Dashiri Danke, Yau Tukur (Mai-Auduga), Bello Liman, aka Alhaji Bell Doctor, among others.

There was heavy security beef-up in and around the Central Business District and the Abuja Federal High Court.

All roads leading to the court were blocked by armed security personnel.

It would be recalled that at least 500 suspected terrorists were also tried between April 7 and April 10 at the FHC in Abuja as part of an intensified effort to tackle insecurity

Fagbemi, while speaking to newsmen at the time, said the 500 defendants were being prosecuted in Phase 9 of the mass trial of suspected terrorists in Abuja.

The AGF had cited logistic reasons for the transfer of the cases to Abuja.

“Whether the cases are tried in Kainji or Maiduguri, those to try terrorism suspects are judges of the Federal High Court.

“For logistic purpose, it is not convenient to go to Kainji, although the same judges would have been ferried to Kainji.

“But it is more convenient here; we have more courtrooms here and the facilities, and for 10 judges at a time, you know what it means. It means a lot,” Fagbemi had said.