BREAKING: FG Finally Arraigns 500 Terrorism Suspects in Abuja Court

FG has finally arraigned 500 Terrorism suspects in Abuja court.

 

NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the Federal Government of Nigeria on Tuesday commenced the trial of about 500 terrorism suspects at the Federal High Court of Nigeria in Abuja over their alleged involvement in a series of deadly attacks across northern Nigeria.

 

Authorities said the suspects were linked to terror incidents that have claimed the lives of more than 2,000 Nigerians and resulted in widespread destruction of property in the region. Some of the defendants are accused of directly participating in attacks, while others allegedly supported terrorist groups through financial assistance, supply of arms and ammunition, and provision of food and other logistics.

 

ALSO: Remita Faces Regulatory Heat as NDPC Launches Investigation Over Alleged Data Breach

 

The prosecution team was led by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), alongside the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN). The defence team was headed by the Director of the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, Aliu Bagudu Abubakar, with support from several lawyers.

 

Confirming the development, Fagbemi disclosed that 227 suspects were initially placed on trial before 10 judges of the Federal High Court. He commended the judges for sacrificing part of their Easter holiday to ensure the proceedings commenced as scheduled.

 

According to the minister, representatives of international organisations and professional bodies; including Amnesty International and the Nigerian Bar Association, were invited to observe the proceedings to guarantee transparency and adherence to due process.

 

Security around the court premises was tightened as the suspects were transported in trucks under heavy guard by personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Army.

 

During one of the proceedings, Justice Binta Fatima Nyako convicted several individuals accused of aiding Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State.

 

One of the convicts, Hamatu Modu, who admitted supplying food and intelligence to the terrorists, was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment. Another defendant, Isah Ali, was also handed a 10-year jail term for supplying food items to the insurgents.

 

In a separate ruling, Sheu Buka was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for selling goats to members of the terrorist group, while Hamza Yahuza received seven years in prison for selling cigarettes and cannabis to the militants.

 

Justice Nyako ordered that the convicts undergo deradicalisation and rehabilitation programmes after serving their prison sentences. The court also directed the Federal Ministry of Interior to determine the correctional facilities where the convicts will serve their terms.

 

The trials are expected to continue on April 8, 2026, as authorities press ahead with efforts to prosecute individuals linked to terrorism and insurgency in Nigeria.