The Federal Government on Tuesday initiated the mass trial of suspected terrorists at the Federal High Court in Abuja, marking a departure from the traditional venue in Kainji, Niger State.
The trial, involving multiple defendants facing terrorism-related charges, was relocated to Abuja due to the court’s ongoing Easter vacation, which runs from April 7 to April 13.
Regular court sessions are scheduled to resume across all divisions on April 14.
To manage the surge in cases, no fewer than 13 courtrooms at the Abuja division have been designated for the proceedings, highlighting the scale and urgency of the trials.
The prosecution team is led by the Director General of the Legal Aid Council, Aliyu Abubakar, who appeared before Justice Binta Nyako alongside other counsels to prosecute about 20 suspects.
The defendants listed include Hamat Modu, Isah Ali, Awal Bello, Shehu Bukar, Alhaji Kulle, Mohammed Abacha Hassan, Aminami Mallum, Tasiu Yakubu, and Abdullahi Ali, among others.
Security around the court was visibly heightened.
Armed personnel were deployed at strategic locations, all access roads leading to the Federal High Court were cordoned off, and police helicopters maintained aerial surveillance over the Central Business District of Abuja.
The proceedings signal a significant push by the government to address terrorism cases more efficiently, even during court vacation periods.
NAN
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