Federal Government Begins Mass Trial of Over 400 Terror Suspects in Abuja

The Federal Government on Monday commenced another phase of mass trial proceedings involving more than 400 suspected terrorists at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The exercise, which is expected to last for one week, will see multiple judges presiding over simultaneous hearings in different courtrooms due to the large number of defendants involved.

Among the judges assigned to handle the proceedings are Justices Binta Nyako, Emeka Nwite, Musa Liman, James Omotosho, Obiora Egwuatu and Ekerete Akpan.

The prosecution team is being led by the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, while the Director-General of the Legal Aid Council, Aliyu Abubakar, is heading the defence team.

Before Justice Nwite alone, 58 suspects were listed for trial, including Abba Bukar, Abba Manye, Gujja Mala Bukar, Brem Gonimi, Isa Mohammed, Lawali Dashiri Danke, Yau Tukur (also known as Mai-Auduga), and Bello Liman (alias Bell Doctor), among others.

Officials said the latest proceedings form part of an ongoing federal effort to decongest terrorism-related cases and speed up justice delivery across the country.

The mass trial initiative follows previous phases in which hundreds of suspects were tried in Abuja as authorities intensify efforts to address insurgency-related crimes and other security threats nationwide.

The Federal Government maintained that the exercise is aimed at strengthening accountability, improving judicial efficiency, and ensuring that terrorism cases are handled within a structured legal framework.