Federal Gov’t Resumes Trial Of 300 Suspected Terrorists

The Federal Government has announced the resumption of the trial of persons suspected to be involved in terrorism and other heinous crimes against the Nigerian state.

A spokesman for the National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Abu Michael, said the resumed trial is in pursuance of the government’s commitment to promoting social justice by entrenching a transparent administrative system.

In a statement, Michael said the ongoing trial, which is in line with the International Criminal Justice (ICJ) system, is being administered by the Federal High Court of Nigeria, with the Complex Casework Group (CCG) of the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation in collaboration with other critical stakeholders under the coordination and supervision of the NCTC in the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

The statement revealed that more than 300 suspects are on trial with five judges manning five courts and chambers set up for speedy administration of justice on the ongoing trial in terrorism and other related cases in the country.

The statement read, “Terrorism: Nigerian Government Resumes Mass Trial of Suspects.

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“In pursuance of its commitment to promoting social justice by entrenching transparent administrative system, the Federal Government has resumed mass trial of persons allegedly involved in terrorism and suspects of other heinous crimes against the Nigerian State.

“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 (CCG) 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 (NCTC), Office of the National security Adviser (ONSA).

“More than 300 suspects are on trial with 5 reputable judges manning the 5 courts and Chambers set up for 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 defense counsel from the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria (LACON).

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

The statement added also that the trials so far resulted in 163 convictions, 882 discharges and 5 accquitals between 2017 and 2018.

He added that, “Suspects that are inculpable are being deradicalised, engaged in profitable ventures, and efforts to reintegrate them are being sustained.”

He stressed further that the NCTC-ONSA is working assiduously with relevant authorities in fulfilling its mandates and to boosting the efforts of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration towards realising good governance and a just society.