Mass Trial of Suspected Terrorists, Others Begins, Says NCTC

Ikechukwu Aleke in Abuja 

The federal government has said it has resumed mass trial of persons allegedly involved in terrorism and suspects of other heinous crimes against the Nigerian state, in pursuance of its commitment to promote social justice by entrenching transparent administrative system. 

The FG also said the ongoing trial which is in line with the international criminal justice system is being administered by the Federal High Court of Nigeria with the Complex Casework Group (CCG) of the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation.

This is in collaboration with other critical stakeholders under the coordination and supervision of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Office of the National security Adviser (ONSA).

A statement by Head Stratcomm, NCTC-ONSA, Abu Michael, said that more than 300 suspects are on trial with five reputable judges manning the five courts and chambers set up for speedy administration of justice on the ongoing trial in terrorism and other related cases in the country.

According to the statement, the trial involved multiple stakeholders, CCG prosecutors, and defense counsel from the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria (LACON).

“Before now, over 800 case files have been reviewed, and charges are drafted for efficient prosecution in order to ensure that justice is appropriately served.

“Between 2017 and 2018, the trials resulted in 163 convictions, 882 discharges and five acquittals. Suspects that are inculpable are being deradicalised, engaged in profitable ventures, and efforts to reintegrate them are being sustained,” Abu said.

He said the NCTC-ONSA is working assiduously with relevant authorities in fulfilling its mandates and to boost the efforts of the incumbent administration towards realising good governance and a just society.