The Federal Government has secured convictions for nearly 125 Boko Haram terrorists and their financiers in a two-day mass trial held in Kainji town, Niger State.
In a statement released on Friday, July 26, 2024, Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) detailed that the convictions were for charges related to terrorism, terrorism financing, providing material support, and International Criminal Court (ICC) crimes.
The trial, part of Giwa Project Kanji Phase Five, was conducted by five Federal High Court judges: Justice Binta Nyako, and Justices Joyce Abdulmalik, Emeka Nwite, Obiora Egwuatu, and Mobolaji Olajuwon.
The prosecution was led by Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Mohammed Babadoko Abubakar, while the defense was represented by Mr. Abdulfatai Bakre from the Legal Aids Council. International observers from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) were present.
The court convicted 85 individuals for terrorism financing, 22 for ICC-related crimes, and others for general terrorism, with various prison sentences imposed. Additionally, the AGF announced that 400 defendants who have completed their sentences have been transferred to Operation Safe Corridor in Gombe State for rehabilitation, deradicalization, and reintegration.
