By Kofoworola Fakeye, JKNewsMedia Reporter
PROCEEDINGS FROM more than 400 suspected terrorists commenced another phase of mass trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday.
JKNewsMedia.com reports that the exercise is expected to last one week, with multiple judges presiding over simultaneous hearings in different courtrooms due to the large number of defendants involved.
The judges assigned include Justices Binta Nyako, Emeka Nwite, Musa Liman, James Omotosho, Obiora Egwuatu, and Ekerete Akpan.
Also, the prosecution team is led by Attorney General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi, while Director General of the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria (LACN) Aliyu Abubakar, is leading the defence team.
Before Justice Emeka Nwite alone, 58 suspects were listed for trial, including Abba Bukar, Abba Manye, Gujja Mala Bukar, Brem Gonimi, Isa Mohammed, Lawali Dashiri Danke, Yau Tukur also known as Mai Auduga, and Bello Liman alias Bell Doctor.
The suspects are facing charges bordering on terrorism, terrorism financing, and aiding and abetting insurgent activities.
JKNewsMedia.com also reports that proceedings are being conducted simultaneously in multiple courtrooms at the Federal High Court complex in Abuja, with several judges assigned to the exercise.
Security was heightened around the court complex, with armed personnel restricting access to roads leading to the facility and deploying military vehicles at strategic locations.
In April, the FG had announced the commencement of phase nine of the mass trial of terrorism suspects. At the time, Fagbemi said the government secured 386 convictions from 508 terrorism related cases prosecuted before the courts.
—
