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Monday Reuben, Abuja
DAILY COURIER – The Federal Government has announced the outcomes of trials involving 1,743 suspected terrorists prosecuted in six phases between 2017 and 2024. The trials resulted in 742 convictions, while 888 suspects were discharged and acquitted due to insufficient evidence and other factors. Additionally, 92 trials were adjourned for further proceedings.
The Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Mohammed Babadoko, revealed these statistics during a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, providing a breakdown of the trials across the years.
Trial Breakdown
- October 2017: 50 convictions, 203 acquittals, and 28 adjournments.
- February 2018: 203 convictions, 582 acquittals, and 24 adjournments.
- July 2018: 113 convictions, 102 acquittals, and 9 adjournments.
- December 2023: 14 convictions, 1 acquittal, and 10 adjournments.
- July 2024: 125 convictions, no acquittals, and 21 adjournments.
- December 2024: 237 convictions, no acquittals, and no adjournments.
“These cases involved acts of terrorism, financing terrorism, and other related criminal activities, with sentences ranging from 60 years to life imprisonment,” Babadoko stated.
Rehabilitation and Reintegration Initiatives
Highlighting the government's rehabilitation efforts, Babadoko noted that in the last year alone, over 515 cases were resolved. More than 800 individuals, including those acquitted or having completed their sentences, were transferred to Operation Safe Corridor in Gombe for rehabilitation and reintegration into society.
The Director of Legal Services at the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Zakari Mijinyawa, clarified that the Disarmament, Demobilization, Reintegration, and Rehabilitation (DDRR) process is strictly for individuals acquitted during the criminal justice process.
“If there is evidence and you are convicted, you serve your sentence. The DDRR process applies to those deemed unsuitable for imprisonment. It includes psychological evaluations, family reunifications, mental health support, and economic interventions,” Mijinyawa explained.
Historical Context and Escalation of Terrorism
The National Coordinator of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre, Major General Adamu Laka, reflected on the history of terrorism in Nigeria, citing the October 1, 2010, Independence Day bombing in Abuja as a significant turning point. This attack, along with subsequent assaults on the United Nations building and the Nigerian Police Headquarters in Abuja, marked an escalation of terrorism, primarily attributed to Boko Haram under the leadership of Abubakar Shekau.
Mass Trial Process
Laka detailed the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders involved in the mass trials. These included judges of the Federal High Court, prosecutors, defense counsel from the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, the Office of the National Security Adviser, and observers from the Nigerian Bar Association and the press.
The Federal Government emphasized the importance of transparency in its counter-terrorism initiatives and urged the media to disseminate accurate information about the rehabilitation and reintegration processes.
This comprehensive approach reflects the government's efforts to balance justice, rehabilitation, and counter-terrorism measures to address the enduring challenges posed by terrorism in Nigeria.
