At least 125 Boko Haram terrorists and financiers have been convicted in a mass trial held in Kainji, Niger State.
The trial, known as Giwa Project Kanji Phase Five, took place over two days and resulted in convictions for charges related to terrorism, terrorism financing, and International Criminal Court criminality.
Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), oversaw the trial in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser.
According to a statement by Special Adviser to the President on Communication & Publicity, Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, Kamarudeen Ogundele, the proceedings were presided over by five Federal High Court judges, including Justice Binta Nyako, Joyce Abdulmalik, Emeka Nwite, Obiora Egwuatu, and Mobolaji Olajuwon.
The Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Mohammed Babadoko Abubakar, led the prosecution team, while the defense team was headed by Mr. Abdulfatai Bakre from the Legal Aids Council. International observers from organizations such as the National Human Rights Commission, the Nigerian Bar Association, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes were also present.
“The courts convicted 85 persons for terrorism financing, 22 for ICC related crimes while others were convicted for terrorism. They were sentenced to various jail terms. It is also noteworthy that 400 defendants who have completed their sentence have also been moved to Operation Safe Corridor in Gombe State for rehabilitation, deradicalisation and subsequent reintegration.”
