By Abu Adamu
The Federal Government has secured 2,512 terrorism-related convictions, including 791 in its latest round of trials, as authorities intensify efforts to prosecute terrorists, financiers, and collaborators sustaining insurgency across Nigeria. This report is presented by kthdaily.
The government also warned that individuals and organisations providing financial, logistical, or material support to terrorist groups risk severe penalties, including a minimum 20-year prison sentence for certain offences and fines of up to N200 million for corporate offenders.
The National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Major-General Adamu Laka, disclosed this at a news conference in Abuja on Tuesday while presenting the outcome of the 11th phase of terrorism trials conducted between October 15 and 24.
Laka said the latest exercise, held at the Federal High Court, Abuja, involved 1,069 cases across 10 courts, resulting in 791 convictions, seven acquittals, 41 discharges, four cases struck out, and three withdrawn.
He added that 211 cases were adjourned, 11 remained pending, while one was classified under another category.
According to him, the latest convictions brought the cumulative figure to 2,512, compared with 1,721 recorded during the first 10 phases.
Among the major outcomes was the conviction and death sentence imposed on Suleiman Abu for membership of the Boko Haram terrorist organisation and involvement in deadly attacks on military installations and civilians.
Laka said the attacks resulted in deaths and serious injuries, stressing that the judgement demonstrated the government’s resolve to hold perpetrators accountable through due process.
He disclosed that 201 terrorism financing cases were also handled during the latest phase, describing the disruption of financial networks as central to Nigeria’s counter-terrorism strategy.
According to him, such networks provide resources for weapons procurement, recruitment, movement of operatives, and other activities that sustain terrorist organisations.
The NCTC coordinator said the government would strengthen cooperation among security agencies, prosecutors, and financial intelligence institutions to identify and dismantle the networks.
Speaking on the prosecution of terrorist collaborators, the Director of Legal Services in the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Mr Zakari Mijinyawa, warned that the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, criminalised several forms of support for terrorist organisations beyond direct participation in attacks.
He said offences covered terrorism financing, facilitation, preparatory activities, provision of material assistance, and knowingly making property available to terrorists.
Mijinyawa explained that individuals could be prosecuted for knowingly supporting terrorist activities even where their assistance did not directly result in an attack.
He cited provisions prescribing a minimum 20-year prison sentence for certain forms of support to terrorism, while companies found culpable of receiving terrorist financing could face fines of N200 million, irrespective of whether the funds were eventually used to commit an offence.
The Director of Public Prosecutions at the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, meanwhile, disclosed that approximately 1,047 charges were filed during the latest trials.
He insisted that the government would not prosecute suspects without sufficient evidence, adding that cases lacking credible proof were subjected to legal review.
According to him, persons against whom no sustainable charges could be established were recommended for release, rehabilitation, and safe reintegration into society.
Oyedepo also assured that defendants were provided access to legal representation through the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria or private lawyers of their choice.
He said international organisations, non-governmental organisations and diplomatic missions were invited to observe the proceedings to promote transparency.
The Director of Public Prosecutions further explained that individuals wrongfully prosecuted or whose constitutional rights were violated could seek judicial remedies, including compensation and apologies where ordered by competent courts.
Also speaking, the Technical Assistant to the Director-General of the Legal Aid Council, Mr Hassan Dauda, said legal teams visited detention facilities in Kainji and Maiduguri to interview defendants and prepare their defence before trial.
He said the arrangement was particularly important in capital cases, where defendants faced the possibility of a death sentence.
Laka, however, emphasised that the objective of the trials was not to secure convictions at all costs but to ensure that terrorism-related cases were determined fairly and in accordance with the law.
He said acquittals and discharges were equally important outcomes of a credible justice system.
The NCTC coordinator also called for greater support for victims and survivors of terrorism, including rehabilitation, psychological assistance, access to justice and restoration of affected communities.
He stressed the need to protect witnesses and victims against intimidation and reprisals to enable their effective participation in investigations and prosecutions.
Laka commended the Federal High Court, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, prosecuting and defence counsel, the Legal Aid Council and security agencies for their contributions to the trials.
He also acknowledged the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for the government’s counter-terrorism efforts.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to sustaining the campaign against terrorism, Laka said security operations, intelligence gathering, prosecution and inter-agency cooperation would continue, with the ultimate objective of protecting lives, restoring affected communities and safeguarding citizens’ fundamental
rights.
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