The Federal Government on Monday commenced another round of mass trial for individuals accused of terrorism-related offences at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The proceedings, which are traditionally conducted in Kainji, Niger State, were relocated to Abuja for what authorities described as logistical convenience.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), is leading the prosecution team, while the Director-General of the Legal Aid Council, Aliyu Abubakar, heads the defence lawyers representing the suspects.
The trial is being conducted simultaneously across several courtrooms within the Federal High Court complex and is expected to continue throughout the week.
Among the judges presiding over the cases are Justices Binta Nyako, Emeka Nwite, Musa Liman, James Omotosho, Obiora Egwuatu and Ekerete Akpan.
At least 58 suspects were scheduled for arraignment before Justice Emeka Nwite on Monday. Some of the defendants include Abba Bukar, Abba Manye, Gujja Mala Bukar, Brem Gonimi, Isa Mohammed, Lawali Dashiri Danke, Yau Tukur, also known as Mai-Auduga, and Bello Liman, popularly called Alhaji Bell Doctor.
The large-scale trial reportedly disrupted other court proceedings at the Federal High Court, with many previously scheduled cases adjourned to accommodate the terrorism hearings.
Security presence around the Federal High Court and the Central Business District of Abuja was significantly increased, with armed security operatives stationed at major access routes leading to the court premises.
The latest phase follows an earlier mass prosecution exercise in April, during which about 500 suspected terrorists were tried at the Federal High Court in Abuja over a four-day period.
Speaking to journalists, Fagbemi explained that the current proceedings represent Phase 9 of the ongoing terrorism trials being conducted by the Federal Government.
According to him, the relocation of the trials from Kainji to Abuja was based on operational and logistical considerations.
He noted that the Federal High Court has adequate facilities and enough judges to handle multiple terrorism-related cases simultaneously, adding that the arrangement would accelerate the judicial process.
