The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has revealed that between October 2017 and December 2024, Nigeria secured 742 terrorists convictions, discharged and acquitted 888 suspects, adjourned 92 cases due to insufficient evidence.
The Coordinator of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC), ONSA, Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka, said this on Monday in Abuja, at a news briefing on the Kanji trials and other terrorism-related issues.
The press briefing was jointly addressed by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Mohammed Babadoko; the Director of Legal, ONSA, Zakari Mijinyawa; and Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka.
According to Babadoko stated that this achievement was made in collaboration with relevant stakeholders and sector actors to ensure accountability for crimes committed by individuals across the country..
Babadoko explained that in July 2024, a total of 253 cases were disposed of, out of which 125 were convicted, 85 were terrorism financing cases, and 22 involved International Criminal Court (ICC) criminalities.
He said at the first phase of the trial, a total number of 282 cases were disposed of, 50 of which were convicted, 203 discharged for want of evidence and 28 adjourned to Abuja for continuation of trial in 2017.
In 2018, a total number of 1,004 suspects or cases were disposed of, out of which 203 were convicted, 582 discharged for want of evidence, the other cases were adjourned to Abuja for continuation of trial. This was in 2018.
At the third phase of the trial, between 9th to the 12th of July 2018, a total number of 224 cases were disposed of, out of which 113 were convicted, 97 discharged for want of evidence, 5 acquitted and 9 cases adjourned for continuation of trial.
At the fourth phase of trial, December 2023, a total number of 25 cases were listed for trial, 14 were convicted, 1 was ordered to be sent to Operation Safe Corridor for DTR rehabilitation and integration, and 10 cases were adjourned for continuation of trial.
In July 2024, a total number of 253 cases were disposed of, out of which 125 were convicted 35 were terrorism financing cases, 22 were ICC criminalities, that is to say, crimes against humanity, and 22 were adjourned for trial.
Now, at the sixth phase of trial, two weeks ago, December 2024, a total number of 237 cases were disposed of, about 9 were adjourned for continuation of trial.
Some of these cases include acts of terrorism, terrorism financing, ICC criminalities, for which some of the defendants were sentenced to terms of imprisonment ranging from 60 years to 75 years to life imprisonment.
Now, it's important to note that within the last one year, the last of this administration, about 515 cases were disposed of, and over 800 clients, those that have served terms or were discharged and were acquitted at the various stages of trial, were moved to, evacuated to Operation Safe Corridor Gombe for rehabilitation and reintegration in accordance with the orders of the courts and the policy of the federal government.
Maj.-Gen. Laka whilw briefing journalists said
the escalation of domestic terrorist activities and the counteractions led to the arrest and detention of about 1600 suspects in Wawa Military Cantonment, Kainji, Niger State. This detention brought to fore the urgent need to develop a comprehensive strategy on the best way to determine the culpability or otherwise of these persons suspected of being involved in terrorist activities.
He said Nigeria is now more experienced in handling terrorism cases, explained that 1,722 cases were disposed of in phases one to six of the terrorist trials in the country.
According to him, the terrorists received various sentences, ranging from life imprisonment and terms of 65 to 75 years, to the death penalty, depending on the severity of their crimes.
He said that this development demonstrated the current administration’s commitment to human rights.
On deradicalization, Maj Gen Laka said; "We have over the years been talking about kinetic and non-kinetic. In the view of the NSA, non-kinetic means ensuring that everyone has a date in court. That the laws are effectively implemented. And even sitting here today, it is the law that demands that the Counter Terrorism Centre will communicate to Nigerians, will partner with civil society, institutions, and the media, section 6 to be specific.)
"Secondly, there has been a number of misperceptions regarding de-radicalisation programmes and the prosecutions of terrorism cases. And this is an opportunity to also clear the air.
"Those who are eligible for de-radicalisation are those whom the criminal justice process has not found to have committed any offence. Those who have not committed offences, but in the course of our counterinsurgency operations, they have been arrested. So if there is evidence, and you follow through trial, and you are convicted, you go and serve your sentences
“Over 800 who have served terms or were discharged and/or acquitted at the various stages of trial were moved to Operation Safe Corridor in Gombe for DDR in accordance with the orders of the court and the policy of the federal government”.