Suspected terrorists are now facing mass trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where proceedings began on Tuesday involving multiple defendants facing terrorism-related charges. The trial, which is usually conducted at the Kainji facility in Niger State, was relocated to Abuja due to the court’s Easter vacation.
Several terrorism cases were heard across multiple courtrooms in the Abuja division, with about 13 courts reportedly engaged for the special sittings. Judges handling the matters include Justice Binta Nyako, Justice Emeka Nwite, Justice Musa Liman, and Justice Akpan Ekerete, among others.
In one of the cases before Justice Emeka Nwite, about 20 suspected terrorists were arraigned on charges bordering on terrorism offences.
In another session before Justice Binta Nyako, the Federal Government’s prosecution team was led by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), while the defence was handled by the Director General of the Legal Aid Council, Aliyu Abubakar.
Some of the defendants in the various cases include Hamat Modu, Isah Ali, Awal Bello, Shehu Bukar, Alhaji Kulle, Mohammed Abacha Hassan, Aminami Mallum, Tasiu Yakubu, and Abdullahi Ali, among others.
Security was heavily reinforced around the Federal High Court complex, with armed personnel blocking major access roads.
A police helicopter was also observed hovering over the Central Business District as proceedings continued.
