July 24, (THEWILL) – The Federal Government has resumed mass trials of over 300 persons allegedly involved in terrorism and suspects of other heinous crimes against the Nigerian State.
A statement by the Head of Stratcomm, National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Abu Michael, said the trial is in pursuance of its commitment to promoting social justice by entrenching a transparent administrative system.
Micheal said the ongoing trial, which is in line with the International Criminal Justice system, is being administered by the Federal High Court of Nigeria with the Complex Casework Group (CCG) of the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation in collaboration with other critical stakeholders under the coordination and supervision of the NCTC, Office of the ONSA.
According to him, more than 300 suspects are on trial with five reputable Judges manning the five courts and Chambers set up for speedy administration of justice on the ongoing trial in terrorism and other related cases in the country.
He disclosed that the trial involves multiple stakeholders, CCG prosecutors, and defence counsel from the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria (LACON).
“Before now, over 800 case files have been reviewed, and charges are drafted for efficient prosecution in order to ensure that justice is appropriately served.
“Between 2017 and 2018, the trials so far resulted in 163 convictions, 882 discharges and 5 acquittals.
“Suspects that are inculpable are being deradicalised, engaged in profitable ventures, and efforts to reintegrate them are being sustained,” he said.
He added that the NCTC-ONSA is working assiduously with relevant authorities in fulfilling its mandates and boosting the efforts of the incumbent administration towards realising good governance and a just society.
