FG Secures Conviction of 125 Boko Haram Terrorists, Financiers

JULY 26, 2024

The Federal Government of Nigeria announced on Friday, July 26, 2024 that it has secured the conviction of 125 Boko Haram terrorists and their financiers during a 2-day mass trial held in Kainji, Niger State.

A press statement signed by Kamarudeen Ogundele, media aide to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, revealed that the convicts were found guilty of charges, including terrorism, terrorism financing, rendering material support, and other acts deemed criminal by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The trials, under Giwa Project Kainji Phase Five, were conducted between Tuesday and Wednesday, supervised by the AGF and the National Security Adviser’s office.

The sessions were presided over by five Federal High Court judges, led by Justice Binta Nyako, with Justices Joyce Abdulmalik, Emeka Nwite, Obiora Egwuatu, and Mobolaji Olajuwon also participating.

The prosecution team was led by Mohammed Babadoko Abubakar, Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, while Abdulfatai Bakre from the Legal Aids Council headed the defence.

International observers at the proceedings included delegations from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC).

The statement disclosed that 85 individuals were convicted of terrorism financing, 22 for crimes related to the ICC, and others for various acts of terrorism.

The convicts received various jail terms.

Additionally, the AGF announced that 400 convicts who had completed their sentences had been transferred to Operation Safe Corridor in Gombe State for rehabilitation, deradicalization, and reintegration.