The Federal Government has set aside N1.371bn in the 2026 budget for the prosecution of Boko Haram and other terrorism-related cases, marking a sharp 159 per cent increase from the N530m allocated in 2025.
The provision, captured under the Federal Ministry of Justice, underscores a renewed push by the government to strengthen the legal response to terrorism and insecurity.
An analysis of the 2026 Appropriation Act, recently signed into law by President Bola Tinubu, shows that the allocation forms a significant component of the ministry’s capital expenditure.
Tinubu had approved a total budget of N68.32tn for the 2026 fiscal year, with N5.41tn—about 7.9 per cent—earmarked for defence and security, reflecting sustained prioritisation of the fight against insurgency and violent crimes.
Further findings indicate that the N1.371bn for terrorism-related prosecutions represents about 14.1 per cent of the Ministry of Justice headquarters’ capital budget of N9.725bn, up from 7.9 per cent recorded in 2025.
The ministry’s overall headquarters allocation also rose from N19.861bn in 2025 to N23.685bn in 2026, indicating a 19.3 per cent increase year-on-year.
The terrorism prosecution vote ranks among the top capital items for the ministry, alongside funding for infrastructure upgrades, international litigations, liability management, and criminal justice reforms.
The development signals a strategic shift towards intensifying prosecution of terrorism suspects, amid growing caseloads and the complexity of insurgency-related trials.
In December 2025, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), had called on the judiciary to expedite the hearing of terrorism, kidnapping, and human trafficking cases.
He stressed that swift adjudication remained critical to national security and the rule of law, warning that delays could embolden criminal networks and undermine public confidence in the justice system.
Recent data from the Federal Government shows that 386 convictions were secured out of 508 terrorism-related cases handled at the Federal High Court, Abuja, during the ninth phase of mass trials concluded earlier in April 2026.
According to the AGF, eight suspects were discharged, two acquitted, while 112 cases were adjourned to subsequent proceedings, with the next phase scheduled for mid-June.
Security experts, however, have urged the government to ensure transparency and accountability in the utilisation of the increased funding.
A retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Wilson Inalegwu, emphasised the need for a coordinated approach involving law enforcement agencies, the judiciary, and correctional services.
He warned that weak custodial infrastructure could undermine prosecution efforts, noting that prison breaks remain a major risk if facilities are not adequately secured.
Similarly, a security analyst, Chidi Omeje, called for detailed disclosure of how the funds would be spent, stressing that while investment in terrorism prosecution is necessary, accountability must not be overlooked.
He also advocated speedy trials, cautioning that prolonged detention of suspects could heighten security threats, including potential attacks on custodial centres.
The increased allocation comes amid ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to intensify its response to insurgency, as authorities continue mass trials of suspected terrorists across the country.
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