Court Convicts 125 Boko Haram Terrorists, Financiers in Mass Trial

125 Boko Haram terrorists and their financiers have been convicted in a resumed mass trial held over two days in Kainji, Niger State. The charges included terrorism, financing of terrorism, providing material support, and crimes related to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The trial, overseen by Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), was conducted under the Giwa Project Kanji Phase Five. Five Federal High Court judges, led by Justice Binta Nyako, presided over the proceedings. The judicial panel also included Justices Joyce Abdulmalik, Emeka Nwite, Obiora Egwuatu, and Mobolaji Olajuwon.

The prosecution team was spearheaded by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) of the Federation, Mohammed Babadoko Abubakar, while the defense was led by Abdulfatai Bakre from the Legal Aid Council.

International observers, including officials from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), were present to monitor the trials.

Of the 125 convicted, 85 were found guilty of financing terrorism, 22 for crimes related to the ICC, and the remainder for various terrorism charges. The convicts received various prison sentences.

Additionally, 400 individuals who had completed their sentences have been transferred to Operation Safe Corridor in Gombe State for rehabilitation, deradicalisation, and subsequent reintegration into society.