Nigeria secures 653 terrorism convictions in record mass trial phase

Nigeria's Federal High Court has obtained 653 convictions in its largest mass trial phase for terrorism-related offences to date. Attorney General Lateef Fagbemi disclosed the figures on Friday during a press conference, noting that the current exercise represents the most expansive judicial effort since these trials began.

The 11th phase, running from October 19 to October 24, involves 1,060 suspects brought before the court. As of Friday afternoon, the court had processed 880 cases, yielding the 653 convictions alongside seven acquittals and 27 discharges, according to Fagbemi.

The remaining cases from the initial 1,060 were expected to be concluded by the scheduled end date of October 24. Multiple defendants entered guilty pleas across various charges related to Boko Haram membership, concealment of terrorist operations, and financing of terror groups.

This phase represents the third mass trial exercise conducted within the current year. Previous reporting indicated that Justice Binta Nyako, who presides over the proceedings, had earlier sentenced defendant Hamat Modu to 40 years imprisonment for supplying logistical support to Boko Haram operatives.

The Federal Government's approach to handling the large volume of suspects through consolidated trial phases has enabled the justice system to process substantial caseloads within compressed timeframes. The mass trial mechanism allows the court to manage hundreds of defendants simultaneously rather than through individual proceedings.

Fagbemi described the current 11th phase as historic in its scale, underscoring the volume of terrorism-related prosecutions the Nigerian judiciary is managing. Final conviction figures and additional case outcomes are expected once the October 24 deadline is reached and all remaining defendants have been adjudicated.