The Federal Government, on Monday, resumed mass trial of suspected terrorists charged with terrorism-related offences in Abuja.
The trial, which usually takes place at Kainji in Niger, was moved to the Federal High Court (FHC) in Abuja.
Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, is leading the prosecution, while the Director-General, Legal Aid Council, Aliyu Abubakar, led the team of lawyers for the defence.
The trial taking place in all the courtrooms in the FHC will last for one week.
Justices Binta Nyako, Emeka Nwite, Musa Liman, James Omotosho, Obiora Egwuatu, Ekerete Akpan, among others are some of the judges trying at least suspected terrorists listed for trial on Monday.
The following suspects – Abba Bukar, Abba Manye, Gujja Mala Bukar, Brem Gonimi, Isa Mohammed, Lawali Dashiri Danke, Yau Tukur (Mai-Auduga), Bello Liman, aka Alhaji Bell Doctor, among others – are the ones facing trial before Justice Nwite on Monday.
Meanwhile, almost all other matters scheduled for today at the court had been rescheduled for the mass trial, just as security has been beefed up in and around the Central Business District and the Abuja Federal High Court.
Armed security operatives had blocked all the roads linking the court were blocked by armed security personnel.
It would be recalled that 500 suspected terrorists were also tried between April 7 and April 10 at the FHC in Abuja.
Fagbemi told newsmen that the 500 suspects were being prosecuted in the Phase 9 of the mass trial of suspected terrorists in Abuja and cited logistics reasons for the transfer of the cases to Abuja from Kainji.
“Whether the cases are tried in Kainji or Maiduguri, those to try terrorism suspects are judges of the Federal High Court.
“It is more convenient here; we have more courtrooms and facilities. We have 10 judges at a time, you know what it means. It means a lot,” Fagbemi said.
