The Federal Government has commenced a fresh phase of mass trial of terrorism suspects in Abuja, with the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, declaring that the government will not treat terrorism with levity.
Fagbemi spoke on Monday at the commencement of the new phase of terrorism trials involving hundreds of suspects facing terrorism-related charges before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The AGF said the ongoing proceedings demonstrated the present administration’s determination to prosecute suspected terrorists and ensure the safety of Nigerians.
“The message is clear, direct and straightforward. It is that the present administration is not taking the issue of terrorism with levity. And that is why you see ongoing trials,” he said.
According to him, terrorism in whatever form would not be tolerated, adding that the government would continue to deploy legal and security measures to make the country safe.
“Since the inception of this administration, this is about the fourth phase that we are undertaking. So the message is that let everybody know that terrorism in whatever form or shape will not be tolerated.
“We will fight with every inch of our blood to ensure that we make Nigeria a safe haven for everybody,” Fagbemi stated.
The AGF disclosed that nearly 600 suspects would be tried in the current phase, with proceedings expected to continue over the coming days.
Giving a breakdown, he said about 490 suspects were listed for Monday’s proceedings, while 84 others would be taken on Tuesday. He added that the figure did not include 102 suspects brought forward from the previous phase.
“For this phase, the ones we have today, we have about 490. Tomorrow we will have 84. But this 84 does not include the 102 that was brought forward from the last phase.
“So in total, we have 600 plus to contend with for this phase, and we have been assured by the honourable judges that they will do their utmost to ensure that they clear this number for this phase,” he said.
The trials are taking place before different judges of the Federal High Court in Abuja, including Justices Binta Nyako, Emeka Nwite, Musa Liman, James Omotosho, Obiora Egwuatu and Ekerete Akpan.
The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, was said to have assembled a special panel of judges to preside over the cases.
The prosecution team is led by the AGF, supported by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, while the defence of indigent suspects is being handled by the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, led by its Director-General, Aliyu Abubakar.
Before Justice Emeka Nwite alone, 58 suspected terrorists were listed for trial, including Abba Bukar, Abba Manye, Gujja Mala Bukar, Brem Gonimi, Isa Mohammed, Lawali Dashiri Danke, Yau Tukur, also known as Mai-Auduga, and Bello Liman, alias Bell Doctor, among others.
The defendants are facing charges linked to terrorism, aiding and abetting insurgent activities, financing of terrorism and related offences.
Monday’s proceedings represent the latest effort by the Federal Government to clear the backlog of terrorism cases and accelerate justice for offences connected to insurgency, armed violence and criminal networks across the country.
A similar mass trial was held in April 2026, during which 508 defendants were prosecuted. Out of that number, the AGF’s office reportedly secured 386 convictions, while eight defendants were discharged and two were acquitted. Many of those convicted received prison sentences of up to 20 years.
The current phase of the trials marks a continuation of the Federal Government’s broader strategy to prosecute terrorism suspects in bulk and reduce delays in terrorism-related cases.
The proceedings are now taking place in Abuja rather than at the military facility in Kainji, Niger State, where previous terrorism trials had been conducted.
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