… Trials aligns with international standards – Maj- Gen. Laka
…Mamu’s case ongoing – DPP
The Federal Government has made significant progress in addressing terrorism cases, with a total of 1,743 cases disposed of and 742 convictions secured in the past four years.
Eight hundred and eighty suspected terrorists have also been discharged or acquitted by the court, while 92 cases has been adjourned within the period.
Giving the updates of terrorism trials at the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Abuja, on Monday, the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) in the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Mohammed Baba Doko, said the present administration had made significant progress in the speedy trials of suspected terrorists.
He said: As part of the effort of this government to ensure accountability of those that have committed crimes against the country, the Federal Ministry of Justice, in conjunction with the NCTC and other stakeholders, notably the Legal Aid Council, the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Police, the Correctional Service, and of course the Federal High Court, came together to ensure the prosecution of suspects arrested either at the frontlines of the Northeast or the Southeast or the North Central.
“Between the year 2017 and date, a number of suspects were prosecuted at the Wawa, in Karinji. At the first phase of the trial, a total number of 282 cases were disposed of, 50 of which were convicted, 203 discharged for want of evidence, and 28 adjourned to Abuja for continuation of trial.
“At the second phase of the trial in 2018, a total number of 804 suspects or cases were disposed of, out of which 203 were convicted, 582 discharged for want of evidence, and the other cases were adjourned to Abuja for continuation of trial.
“At the third phase of the trial, between 9th to the 12th of July 2018, a total number of 224 cases were disposed of, out of which 113 were convicted, 97 discharged for want of evidence, 5 acquitted, and 9 cases adjourned for continuation of trial.
“At the fourth phase of trial, December 2023, a total number of 25 cases were listed for trial, 14 were convicted, 1 was ordered to be sent to Operation Safe Corridor for DDR rehabilitation and reintegration, and 10 cases were adjourned for continuation of trial.
At the fifth phase of the trial in July 2024, a total number of 253 cases were disposed of, out of which 125 were convicted, 85 were terrorism financing cases, 22 were International Criminal Court (ICC) criminalities, that is, crimes against humanity, and 22 were adjourned for trial.
“Now, at the sixth phase of trial, two weeks ago, December 2024, a total number of 237 cases were disposed of, about 9 were adjourned for continuation of trial.”
According to the DPP, some of the cases include acts of terrorism, terrorism financing, ICC criminalities, for which some of the defendants were sentenced to terms of imprisonment.
“Now, it’s important to note that within the last one year of this administration, about 515 cases were disposed of. And over 800 clients, we call them clients, those that have served terms or were discharged or acquitted at the final stages of trial were moved to Operation Safe Corridor for rehabilitation and reintegration in accordance with the orders of the court and the policy of the federal government.
“So all of these steps were taken in conjunction with relevant stakeholders to ensure accountability for crimes committed by violent people across the country, not just Boko Haram.”
He said the suspect kept and tried at the Wawa military cantonment in Kainji in Niger State was due to security considerations.
“Because of the high-risk nature of these suspects, they have to be kept at a dedicated holding facility in Kainji. That is also why, for public safety, security considerations, we are unable to provide specific details as to names, location, and all of the details of individuals that are either undergoing trial or have been convicted and sentenced,” the DPP said.
Answering questions from journalists on prosecution of those arrested for terrorism financing, including Tukur Mamu, publisher of Desert Herald, he said the case is ongoing.
The Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) had in March this year listed Mamu along 15 entities, including nine individuals and six Bureau De Change (BDC) operators and firms for alleged terrorism financing.
Speaking specifically on Mamu, he said prosecution has called five witnesses.
He said, ” The case of Mamu is ongoing. Prosecution has called five witnesses. When the court resumes sitting the accused will open his defence.
“The case was delayed because we had some witnesses that were protected. We actually kept them in protective custody for three months. They are the ones we were waiting for and once the courts resumes from vacation the trial will resume.
“I am sure before the end of first quarter of next year you will hear something about the case.”
Earlier, the National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre in the office of the National Security Adviser, Maj.-Gen. Adamu Garba Laka, said in order to ensure transparency and observation of international standards and human rights demands, the trials were held before the Federal High Court and supervised by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Office of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice in collaboration with the National Counter Terrorism Centre.
He said: “The instruments which provide the legal basis upon which persons or entities are designated terrorists and therefore subjected to the criminal investigations and prosecutions by the Nigerian Government include Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As amended), Section 15 of the Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Act, 2004, and Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 amongst others.
“Some of these laws identify and criminalize acts or omissions that constitute acts of terrorism and prescribe punishments accordingly while others make provision for the procedures to be followed in the administration of criminal justice within the context of terrorism.”
He said the escalation of domestic terrorist activities and the counteractions led to the arrest and detention of about 1,600 suspects in Wawa Military Cantonment, Kainji, Niger State.
According to Laka, the detention brought to fore the urgent need to develop a comprehensive strategy on the best way to determine the culpability or otherwise of these persons suspected of being involved in terrorist activities.
“Accordingly, a team of relevant stakeholders were drawn from different MDAs to embark on the mass trial. These are Judges of the Federal High Court, prosecutors, defence counsel from Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, staff of the Office of the National Security Adviser, observers from the Nigeria Bar Association, and the press amongst others,” he said.
