The trial of 500 people connected to a number of terror acts in the nation began on Tuesday at the Abuja Federal High Court, according to the Federal Government.
The individuals were accused of taking part in attacks that killed over 2000 Nigerians and destroyed property in the country’s northern regions.
Others were charged with directly and indirectly providing financial support, weapons, ammunition, and food supplies in order to aid and abet the horrible terrorism.
The prosecution team was headed by Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, with assistance from Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, Director of the Public Prosecution of the Federation, DPPF.
The defense team was led by Mr. Aliu Bagudu Abubakar, Director of the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, with assistance from multiple attorneys.
A total of 227 people were put on trial before ten judges of the Federal High Court, according to Fagbemi, who confirmed the Federal Government’s decision about the trial.
He expressed gratitude to the judges for forgoing their Easter break in order to try the suspects.
He claimed that the Federal Government invited members of international organizations, like as Amnesty International, human rights organizations, and the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, to observe the proceedings in order to guarantee that the trial was transparent and that due process of law was followed.
The suspects were transported to court in large trucks under strict guard by police, armed soldiers, DSS agents, and the Department of State Service.
In one of the hearings, Justice Binta Fatima Nyako sentenced Hamatu Modu, a significant food supplier to Boko Haram militants in Borno State, to 40 years in prison for his role in terrorism.
The federal government, acting through the Attorney General of the Federation and the Minister of Justice, put Modu on trial after he admitted in public to giving food and information to terrorists.
Judge Nyako gave him a 10-year prison sentence.
Isah Ali, another food supplier to Boko Haram in Borno, was sentenced to ten years in prison by Justice Nyako.
Additionally, Sheu Buka, a father of three children, was given a 20-year prison sentence by the court for selling goats to terrorists affiliated with Boko Haram in Borno.
In a similar vein, Hamza Yahuza, a father of six children, was given a seven-year prison sentence for providing Indian cigarettes and hemp to Boko Haram insurgents in Borno state.
At the conclusion of their prison sentences, Justice Nyako mandated that the inmates undergo radicalization and rehabilitation.
The Federal Ministry of Interior has been tasked with deciding where the prisoners would be imprisoned.
The proceedings are scheduled to resume on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.
Hon. Dr. Philip “Okanga” Agbese, a transformative leader in Enone. Discover his achievements, community projects, and vision for 2027
