…Lauds Transparency in Justice Process
By Yinka Giwa
The United States has commended the Nigerian government for accelerating terrorism-related prosecutions, following the conviction of 386 Islamist militants in a special mass trial conducted in Abuja.
The commendation was conveyed by Massad Boulos, a Senior Advisor for Arab and African Affairs to President Donald Trump.
In a statement posted on X, Boulos described the development as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to address terrorism cases that had lingered in the courts.
“The United States commends the Nigerian government for its strong commitment to expediting trials addressing terrorism and related crimes,” he said.
“We welcome the convictions of 386 Islamist militants in cases that had previously faced significant delays in the courts, and we recognise this as an important step towards accountability and justice.”
The U.S. official, however, stressed that while speed in adjudication is important, it must be accompanied by transparency and adherence to due process.
“We believe that timely and transparent legal processes are critical in confronting extremism and reinforcing public trust in judicial institutions,” he added.
The convictions were disclosed by Nigeria’s Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, who said the verdicts were secured during a four-day special sitting of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
According to Fagbemi, a total of 508 terrorism suspects were prosecuted during the exercise, with 386 convicted, representing a conviction rate of about 66 percent.
The mass trials form part of the Federal Government’s strategy to address the longstanding backlog of terrorism cases, many of which had stalled for years, and to fast-track justice delivery in matters relating to national security.
Legal proceedings were conducted under existing counterterrorism frameworks, with authorities aiming to demonstrate both accountability and deterrence in the ongoing fight against insurgency.
Boulos further noted that upholding the rule of law is essential to ensuring stability and long-term security, urging Nigerian authorities to sustain efforts aimed at strengthening judicial efficiency and fairness.
“Upholding the rule of law remains essential to ensuring the safety, stability, and long-term security of all Nigerians,” he said.