The Federal Government says 653 defendants have been convicted in an ongoing phase of terrorism-related trials before the Federal High Court in Abuja, as prosecutors continue proceedings against more than 1,000 suspects.
Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi disclosed the figures while briefing journalists on the 11th phase of the special trial programme. He said 1,060 suspects had been brought before the courts during the exercise and that, as of the latest count, 880 cases had been heard, producing 653 convictions, seven acquittals and 27 discharges.
The reported outcomes do not account for every case said to have been heard, and Fagbemi stressed that proceedings were still in progress and that final figures would be released at the conclusion of the exercise.
He attributed the pace of the trials to cooperation among judges, prosecutors, defence lawyers and security institutions. The attorney-general acknowledged the roles of the Office of the National Security Adviser, Department of State Services, armed forces, police, correctional authorities and Legal Aid Council.
Addressing questions about legal representation, Fagbemi said eligible defendants were receiving assistance from the Legal Aid Council, while others were represented by private lawyers. He said defence counsel had been able to consult clients and prepare their cases, subject to security restrictions affecting some proceedings.
The attorney-general also defended rehabilitation and de-radicalization programmes for eligible offenders, saying they were intended to reduce the risk of reoffending and support eventual reintegration into society. The reported convictions remain subject to any applicable appeal rights.
