The Federal Government has commenced a fresh mass trial involving more than 600 terrorism suspects facing a range of charges linked to insurgency and terrorist activities across the country.
The suspects, who were arrested in different parts of Nigeria, were prosecuted before the Federal High Court in Abuja on allegations including participation in terrorist attacks, membership of proscribed groups, terrorism financing, and failure to disclose information about terrorist activities within their communities.
The trial, which usually takes place at Kainji in Niger State, was moved to the Federal High Court (FHC) in Abuja.
The prosecution of the defendants is being led by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Mr Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), while the Director-General, Legal Aid Council, Mr Aliyu Abubakar, led the team of lawyers for the defence.
The trial, which is taking place in all the courtrooms in the FHC, is expected to last for one week.
Some of the trial judges are Justices Binta Nyako, Emeka Nwite, Musa Liman, James Omotosho, Obiora Egwuatu and Ekerete Akpan, among others.
No fewer than 58 suspected terrorists were listed for trial on Monday before Justice Nwite.
They are Abba Bukar, Abba Manye, Gujja Mala Bukar, Brem Gonimi, Isa Mohammed, Lawali Dashiri Danke, Yau Tukur (Mai-Auduga) and Bello Liman, aka Alhaji Bell Doctor, among others.
Meanwhile, almost all other matters scheduled for Monday at the court had been rescheduled for the mass trial.
The security has been beefed up in and around the Central Business District and the Abuja Federal High Court.
All roads leading to the court were blocked by armed security personnel.
Five hundred suspected terrorists were also tried between April 7 and April 10 at the FHC in Abuja.
Speaking to newsmen, Fagbemi said the 500 suspects were being prosecuted in Phase 9 of the mass trial of suspected terrorists in Abuja.
The AGF cited logistics reasons for the transfer of the cases to Abuja from Kainji.
“Whether the cases are tried in Kainji or Maiduguri, those to try terrorism suspects are judges of the Federal High Court.
“It is more convenient here; we have more courtrooms and facilities. We have 10 judges at a time; you know what it means. It means a lot,” Fagbemi said. – NAN.
