The Federal Government has commenced the mass trial of over 500 terrorism suspects in Nigeria, marking a major step in its ongoing crackdown on insurgency and terrorism financing.
This comes as the Federal High Court in Abuja convicted and sentenced four individuals for supplying goods and support to Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State.
The convicted persons — Shehu Bukar, Hamzat Yahuza, Hamatu Modu, and Isah Ali — were arraigned before Justice Binta Nyako on charges bordering on aiding and abetting terrorism.
Shehu Bukar, a father of three, was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment after pleading guilty to selling goats to Boko Haram members. Although he initially denied four of the five charges brought against him, the prosecution later withdrew the remaining counts, leaving one charge to which he admitted guilt. Justice Nyako declined his plea for leniency and imposed the maximum sentence.
In a separate ruling, Hamzat Yahuza, a father of six, was sentenced to seven years imprisonment for supplying Indian hemp and cigarettes to insurgents operating in parts of Monguno Local Government Area of Borno State. He pleaded guilty and appealed for mercy, admitting to providing illicit drugs to the terrorist group.
Another defendant, Hamatu Modu, was sentenced to 40 years imprisonment after being found guilty on all four counts against him. He confessed to supplying food items and providing intelligence to Boko Haram members. The court sentenced him to 10 years on each count, to run concurrently, meaning he will serve 10 years in total.
Similarly, Isah Ali was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for supplying food items to the insurgents. The court also ordered that the three years he had already spent in detention be deducted from his sentence.
Justice Nyako further directed that all four convicts undergo rehabilitation and deradicalisation programmes upon completion of their jail terms.
The convictions are part of a broader judicial push involving multiple judges, including Justices Emeka Nwite, Musa Liman, Akpan Ekerete, and Mobolaji Olajuwon, all handling terrorism-related cases in different courtrooms.
Speaking on the development, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), confirmed that Phase 9 of the mass terrorism trial has commenced, with over 500 suspects expected to face trial within the week.
Fagbemi said the trials are being held in Abuja due to logistical challenges, explaining that the use of multiple courtrooms has enabled several judges to hear cases simultaneously.
“It is our hope that of these 500, we will be able to go very far,” he stated.
He added that the proceedings are being conducted openly, with confessions and evidence presented in court to promote transparency and accountability.
Legal representation for the defendants is being provided by the National Legal Aid Council of Nigeria (NLACON), led by its Director-General, Aliyu Abubakar.
The mass trial is expected to continue in the coming days as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to prosecute those linked to terrorism and dismantle support networks aiding insurgent groups across the country.
