FG ARRAIGNS OVER 400 TERRORISM SUSPECTS IN ABUJA MASS TRIAL

FG ARRAIGNS OVER 400 TERRORISM SUSPECTS IN ABUJA MASS TRIAL

The Federal Government has arraigned over 400 suspected terrorists in a renewed mass trial aimed at expediting the prosecution of terrorism-related cases across the country.
The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, led the prosecution team during the proceedings held at the Federal High Court complex in Abuja.
Judiciary Correspondent Austin Anyebe reported that the trials are taking place before specially constituted panels of judges by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, to handle the complex cases.
The defendants are facing various charges bordering on terrorism, financing of terrorism, and aiding and abetting insurgent activities.
The prosecution team also includes the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, alongside other legal representatives of the Federal Government.

The Legal Aid Council of Nigeria is providing defence for indigent suspects involved in the proceedings.
The current trial follows a similar mass prosecution conducted in April 2026, during which 508 defendants were tried, resulting in 386 convictions, eight discharges and two acquittals, with several convicts receiving prison sentences of up to 20 years.
Authorities say the ongoing mass trials form part of efforts to clear the backlog of terrorism cases, which were previously handled at the military detention facility in Kainji, Niger State, but are now being heard in Abuja for improved judicial efficiency.

Source NTA