The Federal Government has secured 653 convictions in the ongoing mass trials of terrorism suspects at the Federal High Court, with proceedings involving 1,060 defendants marking the largest phase of the exercise since its commencement.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, disclosed this on Friday, saying the 11th phase of the trials, scheduled for October 19 to 24, had recorded significant progress.
Fagbemi said 880 cases had been handled as of 12:15 p.m. on Friday, resulting in 653 convictions, seven acquittals and 27 discharges.
He noted that proceedings were still ongoing and that the final figures would be announced after the conclusion of the exercise.
“This is the third phase this year alone. But generally, this is the 11th phase. That is if you consider everything since we started,” he said.
The Attorney-General described the current exercise as the largest since the mass trials began, attributing the progress to cooperation among the judiciary, prosecution and defence teams, as well as security agencies and other institutions involved in the process.
He commended the judges handling the cases under the leadership of Justice Binta Nyako, who he said had been holding forth for the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court.
Fagbemi also acknowledged the contributions of the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services, the military, the police, correctional centres and the Legal Aid Council.
He said collaboration among the institutions had helped facilitate the prosecution of terrorism-related offences.
On defendants’ access to legal representation, the minister explained that the Legal Aid Council was not the only body providing defence lawyers, as private legal practitioners were also participating in the proceedings.
According to him, defence counsel had engaged with suspects before the commencement of their trials, including visiting detention facilities and preparing them to present their cases.
Fagbemi also highlighted the importance of deradicalisation and rehabilitation, particularly for suspects who might eventually be discharged by the courts.
He said the process was necessary to help such individuals reintegrate into society and reduce the risk of returning to activities that led to their arrest.
“Deradicalisation is an aspect of the exercise. There’s no way you can be discharged without, you know, going through that recommendation. You must be deradicalised,” he said.
The minister added that rehabilitation should help individuals reflect on their actions and prepare them to resume their daily lives after leaving detention.
The mass trials form part of the government’s efforts to prosecute terrorism-related cases, with the latest phase bringing more than 1,000 suspects before the court within a six-day period.
