Nigeria convicts 386 suspects in mass terrorism trial of 508 cases

The Federal Government has secured 386 convictions out of 508 terrorism-related cases in a mass trial conducted at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice disclosed this to journalists on Friday, noting that of the 508 defendants arraigned, two were discharged while eight were acquitted.

The trial, which commenced on Tuesday, ended with convictions carrying various jail terms ranging from eight years to life imprisonment, depending on the severity of the offences.

Fagbemi said 112 additional suspects whose cases could not be heard during the current phase would be arraigned in the next round of mass trials scheduled for June 15 to 18.

He said the outcome of the proceedings sends a strong message to criminal elements, stressing that Nigeria would not tolerate acts of terrorism and other violent crimes.

The minister also commended the 10 judges involved in the special court sittings for working through the Easter holiday to handle the cases.

He added that international and local observers, including Amnesty International, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the National Human Rights Commission, and several civil society organisations, monitored the proceedings to ensure transparency and due process.

The trials form part of Phase Nine in a series of mass prosecutions aimed at addressing insecurity and bringing terrorism suspects to justice after prolonged detention.

According to the Federal Government, the continued prosecution of such cases remains critical to weakening insurgent networks and restoring stability across the country.