The Federal Government has announced that 125 Boko Haram terrorists and their financiers have been convicted in a mass trial held in Kainji, Niger State.
The trials, conducted over two days, were part of the Giwa Project Kanji Phase Five and took place between Tuesday and Wednesday.
Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, shared the news through a statement by Kamarudeen Ogundele, the Special Adviser to the President on Communication and Publicity. Fagbemi noted that the convicts faced charges related to terrorism, terrorism financing, providing material support, and crimes associated with the International Criminal Court.
The trials were overseen by five Federal High Court judges led by Justice Binta Nyako, with Justices Joyce Abdulmalik, Emeka Nwite, Obiora Egwuatu, and Mobolaji Olajuwon also presiding. All 125 defendants were found guilty of the charges brought against them.
“The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, is overseeing the trial in conjunction with the Office of the National Security Adviser,” the statement read.
The prosecution team was led by Mohammed Babadoko Abubakar, Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, while Abdulfatai Bakre from the Legal Aids Council headed the defense team.
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The trial was attended by international observers, including representatives from the National Human Rights Commission, the Nigerian Bar Association, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
The courts convicted 85 individuals for terrorism financing and 22 for ICC-related crimes, with the remainder convicted for various acts of terrorism. They received various prison sentences.
Additionally, the statement revealed that 400 defendants who have completed their sentences have been transferred to Operation Safe Corridor in Gombe State for rehabilitation, deradicalization, and reintegration.