The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has convicted 386 individuals for terrorism-related offences following a coordinated mass trial conducted over four days.
The convictions, which largely involved suspected members of Boko Haram, resulted in sentences ranging from five years’ imprisonment to life terms, depending on the severity of the offences and confessional evidence presented in court.
Confirming the development, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, disclosed that a total of 508 defendants were arraigned before ten courts between Tuesday and Friday.
According to him, while 386 defendants were convicted, eight were discharged and two acquitted after the conclusion of proceedings. He added that 112 suspects whose cases were not concluded during the exercise would be included in the next phase of the trial scheduled for June 15 to 18, 2026.
Fagbemi stated that the mass trial underscores the government’s commitment to combating terrorism and serves as a deterrent to criminal activities across the country.
He commended the judges involved for sitting during the Easter period to ensure timely dispensation of justice, noting that the proceedings were conducted with due regard for transparency and the rule of law.
The Attorney General further disclosed that several oversight bodies, including Amnesty International, Nigerian Bar Association, and National Human Rights Commission, observed the trials to ensure compliance with due process standards.
He also acknowledged the role of the media in reporting the proceedings, describing their coverage as essential to public accountability.
