Olushola Omogbehin
The Federal Government, has started the mass trial of suspected terrorists at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The proceedings, which started on Tuesday, involved many defendants facing terrorism-related charges who were relocated to Abuja due to the court’s ongoing Easter vacation.
The vacation which according to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), began on April 7, will run through April 13, with constant court sittings to take off across all divisions on April 14.
As some of the suspects were said to have participated in different attacks in the northern parts of the country where more than 2000 Nigerians have been killed and properties destroyed, others were accused of aiding and abetting the heinous terrorism through direct and indirect sponsorship.
Leading the prosecution team, is the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, supported by the Director of the Public Prosecution of the Federation, DPPF, Rotimi Oyedepo.
Leading the defense team, is the Director of the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria Mr Aliu Bagudu Abubakar with the support from several lawyers.
Fagbemi revealed that a total of 227 suspects were put on trial before 10 judges of the Federal High Court.
Some of those listed in the trial are Hamat Modu, Isah Ali, Awal Bello, Shehu Bukar, Alhaji Kulle, Mohammed Abacha Hassan, Aminami Mallum, Tasiu Yakubu, and Abdullahi Ali, among others.
In order to make the process transparent, Fagbemi said that the Federal Government has brought in representatives of the international bodies such as Amnesty International, human rights associations and the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, to witness the proceedings.
The suspects were brought to court in loads of trucks with heavy security provided by armed soldiers, Department of State Service, DSS, operatives and police.
