By Omowumi Omotosho
The Federal Government of Nigeria has resumed mass trials of persons allegedly involved in terrorism and suspects of other heinous crimes against the Nigerian State.
This was disclosed in a statement by the Head of Strategic Communication, National Counter Terrorism Centre – Office of the National Security Adviser, NCTC-ONSA, Michael Abu, on Wednesday in Abuja.
Abu said the resumption of the trials was in pursuance of the government’s commitment to promoting social justice by entrenching a transparent administrative system.
He said the ongoing trials are in line with the International Criminal Justice System and were being administered by the Federal High Court of Nigeria.
He added the Complex Casework Group (CCG) of the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and other critical stakeholders were also involved.
According to him, the trials are being prosecuted under the coordination and supervision of the NCTC-ONSA.
Abu said that more than 300 suspects were on trial, with five reputable judges manning the five courts and chambers set up for the speedy administration of justice.
He further disclosed that the trial involved multiple stakeholders, CCG prosecutors and defense counsel from the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria (LACON).
“Before now, more than 800 case files had been reviewed, and charges were drafted for efficient prosecution 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 deradicalized, engaged in profitable ventures, and efforts to reintegrate them are being sustained.
“The NCTC-ONSA is working assiduously with relevant authorities in fulfilling its mandates and to boost efforts of the incumbent administration towards realizing good governance and a just society,” Abu added
