The Federal Government on Tuesday commenced the mass trial of suspected terrorists at the Federal High Court in Abuja, marking a shift from the usual venue in Kainji, Niger State.
The trials, involving multiple defendants facing terrorism-related charges, were moved to Abuja due to the court’s Easter vacation, which runs from April 7 to April 13. Regular court sittings are expected to resume nationwide on April 14.
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13 Courts Assigned To Handle Cases
To handle the volume of cases, no fewer than 13 courtrooms at the Abuja division have been assigned for the proceedings, underscoring the scale of the exercise.
The prosecution is led by the Director General of the Legal Aid Council, Aliyu Abubakar, who appeared before Justice Binta Nyako alongside other counsel to prosecute about 20 suspects.
Those listed for trial include Hamat Modu, Isah Ali, Awal Bello, Shehu Bukar, Alhaji Kulle, Mohammed Abacha Hassan, Aminami Mallum, Tasiu Yakubu, and Abdullahi Ali, among others.
Security around the court was tightened, with armed personnel stationed at key points, access roads to the court restricted, and police helicopters conducting aerial surveillance over Abuja’s Central Business District.
The move signals an intensified effort by the government to fast-track terrorism-related cases, even during the court vacation period.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
