The Federal Government on Tuesday commenced the trial of 500 suspects linked to a series of terror attacks across the country at the Federal High Court.
The suspects are alleged to have participated in coordinated attacks in northern Nigeria that have claimed over 2,000 lives and led to widespread destruction of property. Authorities also accused several of the defendants of aiding terrorism through financial support, supply of arms and ammunition, and provision of food and logistics.
The prosecution team is led by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, alongside the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo. The defence team is headed by the Director of the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, Aliu Bagudu Abubakar, supported by a team of lawyers.
Fagbemi disclosed that 227 suspects were formally arraigned before 10 judges of the Federal High Court, commending the judges for sitting during the Easter holiday to expedite the proceedings. He noted that the government ensured transparency by inviting observers from international organisations, including Amnesty International, human rights groups, and the Nigerian Bar Association.
The suspects were transported to court in trucks under heavy security, with personnel from the Department of State Services, the police, and the military deployed to maintain order.
In one of the cases, Justice Binta Fatima Nyako convicted a key logistics supplier to Boko Haram, Hamatu Modu, for providing food items and intelligence to the insurgents in Borno State. He was sentenced to 40 years imprisonment.
In a related ruling, another supplier, Isah Ali, received a 10-year jail term, while Sheu Buka was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for selling livestock to the террорист group. Hamza Yahuza was also handed a seven-year sentence for supplying Indian hemp and cigarettes to the insurgents.
Justice Nyako further ordered that all convicted persons undergo rehabilitation and deradicalisation programmes upon completion of their sentences. The Federal Ministry of Interior was directed to designate the correctional facilities where the convicts will serve their terms.
The trial is scheduled to continue on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.
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