By Ighomuaye Lucky. O
The Federal Government has begun a speedy trial of 500 terror suspects nabbed in connection with a series of deadly attacks across the country.
The suspects were alleged to have participated mainly in the northern parts of the country, where more than 2,000 Nigerians have been killed and properties destroyed.
Others were accused of aiding and abetting the heinous crimes through direct and indirect sponsorship, including the provision of finance, arms and ammunition, as well as food supplies.
The trial, which usually takes place in Kainji, Niger State, was moved to the Federal High Court (FHC) in Abuja, as the court is currently on Easter vacation.
Some of the judges involved in the trial of the defendants are Justice Binta Nyako, Justice Emeka Nwite, Justice Musa Liman, and Justice Akpan Ekerete, among others.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, AGF Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN, supported by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF), Rotimi Oyedepo SAN, is leading the prosecution team.
On the other hand, the Director of the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, Mr Aliu Bagudu Abubakar, is leading the defence team, with support from several lawyers.
Fagbemi, while confirming the Federal Government’s decision on the trial, revealed that a total of 227 suspects were put on trial yesterday before 10 judges of the Federal High Court.
He thanked the judges for sacrificing their Easter holiday to conduct the trial of the suspects.
To ensure that the trial was transparent and that due process of law was followed, he said that the Federal Government brought in representatives of international bodies, including Amnesty International, human rights associations, and the Nigerian Bar Association, to witness the proceedings.
The suspects were brought to court in trucks, with heavy security provided by armed soldiers, Department of State Services (DSS) operatives, and police.
In one of the proceedings, Justice Binta Nyako sentenced a major food supplier to Boko Haram terrorists in Borno State, Hamatu Modu, to 40 years’ imprisonment for his involvement in terrorist activities.
Modu, who confessed in open court to supplying food items and information to terrorists, was put on trial by the Federal Government through the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.
He was charged with a four-count charge and instantly pleaded guilty to it.
The Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF), Rotimi Oyedepo SAN, led the prosecution in the case.
In her judgment, Justice Nyako sentenced him to 10 years on each of the four counts but, following a plea by the defence counsel, ordered that the 40-year sentence should run concurrently, allowing the convict to serve only 10 years.
In another development, Isah Ali, another food supplier in Borno State, was also jailed for 10 years by Justice Nyako.
His jail term will, however, commence from three years ago, when he was arrested and detained.
The convict confessed to committing the offence as charged.
Justice Nyako ordered that the convicts undergo rehabilitation and deradicalisation at the end of their prison terms.
The Federal Ministry of Interior was ordered to determine where the convicts will serve their jail terms.
In a related development, the court sentenced a father of three, Sheu Buka, to 20 years’ imprisonment for selling goats to Boko Haram terrorists in Borno State.
Buka, who was put on trial on a five-count charge by the Federal Government, admitted in open court and in his extrajudicial statement that he committed the offence.
Following his denial of four other charges, the Federal Government withdrew those counts and proceeded with one.
Justice Nyako, after reviewing the confessional statement, admission of guilt in open court, and the investigation report, convicted the defendant and sentenced him to 20 years.
The judge refused the plea for leniency made by the convict, adding that the issue of terrorism has become worrisome in virtually all parts of the country.
According to the court, rendering support to terrorists is a serious offence that must not be condoned.
Similarly, a father of six, Hamza Yahuza, was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment for selling Indian hemp and cigarettes to Boko Haram terrorists in Borno State.
Yahuza admitted in open court to committing the offence in 2023 and begged the court profusely for forgiveness.
The convict is one of over 500 persons brought before various courts for trial by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice for aiding and abetting terrorism against the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He also admitted supplying various drugs to the terrorists in parts of Monguno Local Government Area of Borno State.
In the one-count charge, the 40-year-old convict, upon confession, sought leniency, which Justice Nyako rejected.
The judge also rejected the claim that poverty pushed him into supplying drugs, Indian hemp, and cigarettes to Boko Haram members.
Justice Nyako imposed a seven-year prison sentence on him but ordered that the term should commence from March 6, 2023, when the convict was apprehended and detained by the Federal Government.
Meanwhile, the trial will continue on Wednesday, April 8.
Culled from Sun
