Fed Govt Resumes Trial Of 300 Terrorism Suspects

The Federal Government has resumed the trial of 300 persons allegedly involved in terrorism, and suspects of other heinous crimes against the country.

A statement yesterday by the Head of Strategic Communication, National Counter Terrorism Centre – Office of the National Security Adviser (NCTC-ONSA), Michael Abu, said resumption of the trial was in pursuance of the government’s commitment to promoting social justice by entrenching transparent administrative system.

He said the ongoing trial was in line with the International Criminal Justice system, and was being administered by the Federal High Court of Nigeria.

Abu added the Complex Casework Group (CCG) of the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and other critical stakeholders were also involved, while it is being done under the coordination and supervision of the NCTC-ONSA.

He also said more than 300 suspects were on trial with five reputable judges manning the five courts and Chambers set up for speedy administration of justice.

The trial involved multiple stakeholders, CCG prosecutors, and defense counsel from the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria (LACON).

He added: “Before now, more than 800 case files had been reviewed, and charges were drafted for efficient prosecution in order to ensure that justice is appropriately served. Between 2017 and 2018, the trials so far resulted in 163 convictions, 882 discharges and 5 acquittals.

“Suspects that are inculpable are being deradicalised, engaged in profitable ventures, and efforts to reintegrate them are being sustained.

“The NCTC-ONSA is working with relevant authorities in fulfilling its mandates and to boost efforts of the incumbent administration towards realising good governance and a just society.”