Nigeria launches trial of 600+ terrorism suspects in Abuja

The Nigerian federal government has commenced a new phase of mass trials for hundreds of terrorism suspects at the Federal High Court in Abuja. Attorney General and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi announced the proceedings on Monday, June 15, 2026, stating that the government is determined to prosecute suspected terrorists and will not treat the issue with levity.

Fagbemi provided detailed figures, indicating that approximately 490 suspects were scheduled for arraignment on Monday, with an additional 84 to be tried on Tuesday. He noted that this total does not include 102 suspects carried over from a previous phase, bringing the overall number for this round of trials to more than 600. He expressed confidence that the judges would work to clear the large volume of cases within the scheduled timeframe.

The trials are being conducted by a special panel of judges assembled by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho. At least ten judges, including Justices Binta Nyako, Emeka Nwite, Musa Liman, James Omotosho, Obiora Egwuatu, and Ekerete Akpan, are presiding over the cases. The prosecution is led by Fagbemi, supported by the Director of Public Prosecutions,...