FG Secures 44 New Convictions in Terrorism Financing Trial
In a major boost to Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts, the Federal Government has secured 44 new convictions for terrorism financing following proceedings at the Kainji Detention Facility in Phase 7 of the ongoing terrorism trials.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Saturday by Mr. Michael Abu, Head of Strategic Communication at the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
According to Abu, the convictions were obtained from 54 individuals recently arraigned, while the remaining 10 cases were adjourned across four Federal High Courts, each presided over by different judges.
With these latest convictions, Nigeria has now secured a total of 785 convictions related to terrorism financing and other terrorism-linked offences, signaling intensified efforts to combat violent extremism and disrupt financial support networks for terrorism.
Abu stated that the sentences handed down ranged from 10 to 30 years, all with hard labour, underscoring the gravity of the offences and the Nigerian justice system’s determination to uphold accountability.
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“These verdicts send a strong message of deterrence and demonstrate the resolve of our justice system to ensure those involved in terrorism face the full weight of the law,” he said.
The latest phase of the trials commenced on Wednesday, July 9, with an official opening ceremony attended by key government officials. Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka, National Coordinator of the NCTC, delivered a speech on behalf of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), was represented by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Mohammed Babadoko Abubakar. Both officials reaffirmed Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to delivering justice through legal and transparent processes.
Mr. Abu also recalled that during Phase 6 of the trials, 237 cases were heard, resulting in 200 convictions. The convicted individuals were sentenced to penalties ranging from death and life imprisonment to prison terms of 20 to 70 years, depending on the severity of their crimes.
Some of the offences cited included attacks on women and children, destruction of religious sites, mass killings, and the abduction of civilians during brutal raids, notably in the Gina Kara Kai community in Borno State.
The ongoing terrorism trials at the Kainji facility mark a pivotal step in the government’s broader strategy to dismantle terror networks and restore peace and security across the country.
By PRNigeria
