The Federal Government has announced that it successfully secured fresh convictions of 44 terrorism financing suspects in Phase 7 of the Kainji Detention Facility Terrorism Trial in Niger State.
The fresh figure brings to 785 the total number of terrorism financing and other terrorism-related offences, reflecting Nigeria’s increased war against violent extremism, their funding networks and strengthening national security through globally-acceptable judicial means.
In a weekend press release by Head, Strategic Communication, National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Mr. Abu Micheal, it said that the 44 convictions were secured after 54 suspects were arraigned on Wednesday as part of ongoing terrorism trials before four Federal High Court justices. The remaining 10 cases were adjourned during proceedings.
He said: ‘’The verdict delivered from the trials resulted in prison sentences ranging from 10 to 30 years, all to be served with hard labour, underscoring the severity of the crimes and the Nigerian justice system’s resolve to uphold accountability and deter future transgressions’’.
The release further said that during the commencement of the trials on Wednesday, the National Coordinator, National Counter Terrorism Centre, Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Major General Adamu Garba Laka, on behalf of National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, emphasized that the trials showed Nigeria’s unwavering pursuit of justice,reaffirming its resolve to confront terrorism through lawful and transparent means.
Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) was represented by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Mohammed Babadoko Abubakar.
it would be recalled that 237 cases were heard during the last Phase 6 trials resulting in 200 convictions. The convicted terrorists got a range of sentences based on the severity of their crimes, from the death penalty and life imprisonment to prison terms of 20 to 70 years.
