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From Godwin Tsa, Abuja
The federal government has announced the conviction of over 125 Boko Haram terrorists and financiers at the resumed two-day mass trial held in Kainji, Niger State.
They were convicted of charges bordering on terrorism, terrorism financing, rendering material support, and cases relating to International Criminal Court (ICC) criminality.
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) is presiding over the trial in conjunction with the Office of the National Security Adviser. The trials held under Giwa Project Kanji Phase Five, between Tuesday and Wednesday, were before five Federal High Court judges led by Justice Binta Nyako. Others are Justices Joyce Abdulmalik, Emeka Nwite, Obiora Egwuatu, and Mobolaji Olajuwon.
The Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Mohammed Babadoko Abubakar, led the prosecution team while Mr. Abdulfatai Bakre led the defence team from the Legal Aids Council.
Others in attendance as international observers were the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) among others.
This was contained in a statement by the Special Assistant to the President on Communication and Publicity, office of the Attorney General of the Federation, Kamarudeen Ogundele on Friday.
The statement disclosed that the courts convicted 85 persons for terrorism financing, 22 for ICC related crimes while others were convicted for terrorism.
They were sentenced to various jail terms.
It is also noteworthy that 400 defendants who have completed their sentence have also been moved to Operation Safe Corridor in Gombe State for rehabilitation, deradicalisation and subsequent reintegration.
