FG begins prosecution of 500 suspected terrorists

Federal Government on Tuesday, at the Abuja Federal High Court, opened the trial of 500 suspects implicated in series of terror attacks in the country.

The suspects were alleged to have participated in attacks in the northern parts of the country where more than 2000 Nigerians have been killed and properties destroyed.

Others were accused of aiding and abetting the heinous terrorism through direct and indirect sponsorship with either finance, arms and ammunition as well as foodstuffs supplies.

Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, supported by the Director of the Public Prosecution of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, led the prosecution team.

Director of the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, Mr Aliu Bagudu Abubakar, led the defence team with support from several lawyers.

Fagbemi while confirming the decision of the Federal Government on the trial revealed that a total of 227 suspects were put on trial before 10 judges of the Federal High Court.

He thanked the judges for sacrificing their Easter holiday to conduct the trial of the suspects.

To ensure that the trial was transparent and due process of law followed, he said that the Federal Government brought in representatives of the international bodies, including Amnesty International, human rights associations and the Nigeria Bar Association to witness the proceedings.

The suspects were brought to court in loads of trucks with heavy security provided by armed soldiers, Department of State Service operatives and police.

In one of the proceedings, Justice Binta Fatima Nyako sentenced a major foodstuffs supplier of the Boko Haram terrorists in Borno State, Hamatu Modu, to 40 years imprisonment for his involvement in terrorism.

Modu, who confessed in the open court to supplying food items and information to terrorists, was put on trial by the Federal Government through the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.

Justice Nyako sentenced him to 10 years in prison.

In another development, Isah Ali, another Boko Haram food supplier in Borno, was jailed 10 years by Justice Nyako.

Also, the court sentenced a father of three children, Sheu Buka, to 20 years imprisonment for selling goats to Boko Haram terrorists in Borno.

Similarly, a father of six children, Hamza Yahuza, was sentenced to seven years imprisonment for selling Indian hemp and cigarettes to Boko Haram terrorists, also in Borno State.

Justice Nyako ordered that the convicts be made to undergo rehabilitation and de-radicalisation at the end of their jail terms.

The Federal Ministry of Interior was ordered to determine where the convicts will serve their jail terms.

Meanwhile, the trials will continue on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.