Nigerian Government Gives Breakdown of Terrorism Trial Cases Since 2017

The Federal Government of Nigeria says it has conducted a total of 1,722 trials of suspected terrorists between October 2017 to December 2024, in six different phases.

The Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Mohammed Babadoko disclosed this at a press briefing organised by the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Office of the National Security Adviser in Abuja, on Monday 23rd December 2024.

According to Mohammed Babadoko, 742 convictions were secured, while 888 suspects have been discharged and acquitted due to lack of evidence, among other reasons and 92 trials have been adjourned to future dates.

“In October 2017, 50 were convicted; 203 were discharged/acquitted; 28 were adjourned. In February 2018, 203 were convicted, 582 were discharged/acquitted, and 24 were adjourned. In July 2018, 113 were convicted, 102 were discharged/acquitted, and 9 were adjourned”

“In December 2023, 14 were convicted; 1 was acquitted; 10 were adjourned. In July 2024, 125 were convicted; none were acquitted, and 21 cases were adjourned. In December 2024, 237 were convicted; none were acquitted, and no cases were adjourned”

“It’s important to note that within the last year, during this administration, about 515 cases were disposed of, and over 800 individuals—whom we call clients, those who have served terms or were discharged/acquitted at various stages of trial—were moved to Operation Safe Corridor in Gombe for rehabilitation and reintegration, in accordance with the orders of the court and the policy of the federal government.”

The National Coordinator of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre, Major General Adamu Laka said a team of relevant stakeholders, drawn from different Ministries, Departments, and Agencies were involved in the mass trial.

According to General Laka, among those involved are judges of the Federal High Court, prosecutors, defence counsel from the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, staff of the Office of the National Security Adviser, observers from the Nigerian Bar Association, and members of the press.

He said the process is still ongoing as more terrorists are still being brought in, in the course of military operations.

According to the NCTC Coordinator, before the first half of the current administration, the volume of trial cases would have increased to a greater magnitude and the government continuously improved on the process as it gained greater experience.

The Director of Legal Services at the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Zakari Mijinyawa, stated that those eligible for deradicalisation are those whom the criminal justice process has not found guilty of committing any offence.

According to Mijinyawa, “if there is evidence and you go through the trial and are convicted, you serve your sentence. The whole process of Operation Safe Corridor and the DDRR (Disarmament, Demobilization, Reintegration, and Rehabilitation) is for those whom the court has found not suitable for prison.

“This is important information that should be widely known across the country. The media should help in spreading this message. The DDRR process includes psychological evaluations, family reunifications, mental health support, and economic intervention.”