GUARDIAN NG
The Federal Government has secured 1,743 convictions across six phases of terrorism trials conducted between 2017 and 2024. Of these, 742 individuals were convicted, while 888 were discharged and acquitted due to insufficient evidence or other reasons. Additionally, 92 cases were adjourned.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Mohammed Babadoko, shared a detailed breakdown of the outcomes, saying that in October 2017, 50 were convicted; 203 were discharged/acquitted; and 28 were adjourned. In February 2018, 203 were convicted; 582 were discharged/acquitted; and 24 were adjourned. In July 2018, 113 were convicted; 102 were discharged/acquitted; and 9 were adjourned.
He added that in December 2023, 14 were convicted; 1 was acquitted; and 10 were adjourned. In July 2024, 125 were convicted; none were acquitted; and 21 cases were adjourned. In December 2024, 237 were convicted; none were acquitted; and no cases were adjourned.”
According to him, the convictions involved crimes such as terrorism, terrorism financing, and related criminal activities. Sentences ranged from 60 years to life imprisonment.
“It is important to note that within the last year, during this administration, about 515 cases were disposed of, and over 800 individuals — those who had served their terms or were discharged/acquitted at various stages of trial — were moved to Operation Safe Corridor in Gombe for rehabilitation and reintegration, in accordance with court orders and federal government policy,” Babadoko said.
Meanwhile, Zakari Mijinyawa, Director of Legal Services at the Office of the National Security Adviser, stressed the importance of the deradicalisation process under Operation Safe Corridor, which applies only to individuals not found guilty of any crime.
“If there is evidence, and you go through the trial and are convicted, you serve your sentence,” Mijinyawa clarified. “The DDRR (Disarmament, Demobilisation, Reintegration, and Rehabilitation) program is for those the court has not found suitable for imprisonment…
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