The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday commenced the mass trial of suspected terrorists facing charges related to terrorism offences across the country.
The proceedings, which are usually held at Kainji in Niger State, were temporarily moved to Abuja due to the Federal High Court’s Easter vacation.
The court’s Easter vacation began on Tuesday, April 7, and will run until April 13, with regular sittings expected to resume across all divisions on April 14.
Because of the break, terrorism cases were scheduled to be heard in Abuja to ensure that the trials continued during the period.
Reports indicated that 13 courts at the Federal High Court in Abuja are currently handling various terrorism-related cases.
Some of the judges presiding over the cases include Justice Binta Nyako, Justice Emeka Nwite, Justice Musa Liman, and Justice Akpan Ekerete, among others.
During Tuesday’s proceedings, about 20 suspected terrorists were brought before Justice Emeka Nwite for trial.
The Federal Government’s legal team was led by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN).
Meanwhile, the Director General of the Legal Aid Council, Aliyu Abubakar, led the team of lawyers representing the suspects.
Some of the defendants listed in Justice Nyako’s cause list include Hamat Modu, Isah Ali, Awal Bello, Shehu Bukar, Alhaji Kulle, Mohammed Abacha Hassan, Aminami Mallum, Tasiu Yakubu, and Abdullahi Ali, among others.
The suspects are facing charges bordering on terrorism-related offences.
Security was significantly heightened around the court premises as the trials commenced.
Armed security personnel were stationed around the Federal High Court complex in the Central Business District of Abuja, while roads leading to the facility were blocked.
In addition, a police helicopter was seen hovering over the area as part of security measures to maintain order during the proceedings.