FG secures 742 terror convictions, acquits 888 due to evidence gaps
The Federal Government has recorded a total of 1,743 prosecuted cases from phase one to phase six of terrorist trials in the country, spanning from 2017 to date.
Out of these, 742 individuals were convicted, while 888 were discharged and acquitted due to lack of evidence or other reasons.
Additionally, 92 trials have been adjourned.
The Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Mohammed Babadoko, disclosed this at a press briefing in Abuja on Monday.
Babadoko stated, “In October 2017, 50 were convicted; 203 were discharged/acquitted; and 28 were adjourned. In February 2018, 203 were convicted; 582 were discharged/acquitted; and 24 were adjourned. In July 2018, 113 were convicted; 102 were discharged/acquitted; and 9 were adjourned.
“In December 2023, 14 were convicted; 1 was acquitted; and 10 were adjourned. In July 2024, 125 were convicted; none were acquitted; and 21 cases were adjourned. In December 2024, 237 were convicted; none were acquitted; and no cases were adjourned.”
He added that these cases involved acts of terrorism, terrorism financing, and other criminal activities, with some defendants sentenced to terms of imprisonment ranging from 60 years to life imprisonment.
“It is important to note that within the last year, during this administration, about 515 cases were disposed of, and over 800 individuals — those who had served their terms or were discharged/acquitted at various stages of trial — were moved to Operation Safe Corridor in Gombe for rehabilitation and reintegration, in accordance with court orders and federal government policy,” Babadoko explained.
The Director of Legal Services at the Office of the National Security Adviser, Zakari Mijinyawa, stated that the deradicalisation process under Operation Safe Corridor applies only to those whom the criminal justice system has not found guilty of any offence.
He said, “If there is evidence, and you go through the trial and are convicted, you serve your sentence. The whole process of Operation Safe Corridor and the DDRR (Disarmament, Demobilisation, Reintegration, and Rehabilitation) is for those whom the court has found not suitable for imprisonment.
“This is vital information that should be widely disseminated. The media should assist in spreading this message. The DDRR process includes psychological evaluations, family reunifications, mental health support, and economic interventions.”
The Coordinator of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre, Major Gen. Adamu Laka, recalled that the Nigeria Independence Day attack on October 1, 2010, in Abuja, was one of the first major terrorist incidents in Nigeria.
According to him, subsequent attacks included those on the UN building and the Police Headquarters in Abuja, carried out by Boko Haram under the leadership of Abubakar Shekau.
Laka noted that a team of relevant stakeholders from various MDAs participated in the mass trials, including judges of the Federal High Court, prosecutors, defence counsel from the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, staff of the Office of the National Security Adviser, observers from the Nigerian Bar Association, and the press.
