Nigeria records 2,512 terrorism convictions
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Business Day Nigeria
Nigeria recorded 2,512 terrorism convictions during the first 11 trial phases, including 791 in the latest session, according to the National Counter-Terrorism Centre. Hearings held in Abuja from 15 to 24 October also covered 201 terrorism-financing cases, Business Day Nigeria reports.
Nigeria recorded 791 convictions in the 11th phase of its terrorism trials, bringing the cumulative total to 2,512 convictions. The hearings covered 1,069 cases in ten Federal High Court divisions in Abuja from 15 to 24 October, according to the National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC), cited by Business Day Nigeria.
The latest phase also examined 201 terrorism-financing cases. It resulted in seven acquittals, 41 discharges, four cases being struck out and three withdrawals, while 211 cases were adjourned, 11 remained pending and one was recorded in another category, according to NCTC national coordinator Major General Adamu Laka.
One of the cases resulted in Suleiman Abu being sentenced to death for belonging to Boko Haram and taking part in attacks on military installations and civilians. The government is also targeting people who finance, facilitate or support armed groups, under the 2022 Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, said Zakari Mijinyawa, director of legal services at the Office of the National Security Adviser.
The new phase came after the African Union made the Nigerian counter-terrorism centre a regional hub on 28 October. It also followed the announcement on 2 November of the expected verdict in Tukur Mamu’s trial, in which he is facing terrorism-financing charges.
