The Nigerian Government has secured the conviction of 386 terrorism suspects following a coordinated trial process at the Federal High Court in Abuja, reinforcing efforts to combat violent extremism and uphold the rule of law.
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, said 508 defendants were arraigned before 10 courts over a four-day period, with those convicted receiving jail terms ranging from five years to life imprisonment, depending on the severity of their offences.
He said eight defendants were discharged while two were acquitted, describing the outcome as evidence of due process and judicial fairness in the proceedings.
Fagbemi added that 112 cases were adjourned and would be heard in the next phase of trials scheduled for June 15 to 18, 2026.
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He stated that the convictions sent a strong signal to criminal elements, stressing that Nigeria would not tolerate acts of terrorism.
The trials were expedited through special sittings by 10 Federal High Court judges during the Easter holiday period, a move the minister said demonstrated commitment to timely justice delivery.
He commended the judges for responding to the government’s call to fast-track terrorism cases.
The proceedings were monitored by key stakeholders, including Amnesty International, the Nigerian Bar Association, and the National Human Rights Commission, alongside other civil society organisations, to ensure transparency and compliance with international standards.
Fagbemi also acknowledged the role of the media in covering the trials, noting that it helped to strengthen public confidence in the justice system.
