By Temidire Adefolarin
The 11th phase of terrorism trials in Abuja produced 791 convictions from 1,069 cases, with one defendant sentenced to death for Boko Haram-related offences.
Nigeria has recorded 2,512 convictions in terrorism-related cases over the past nine years, following the conclusion of the latest round of trials at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre under the Office of the National Security Adviser, Major General Adamu Laka, announced the figures during a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday.
He said the 11th phase of the trials, held in October 2026, resulted in 791 convictions from 1,069 cases heard across 10 Federal High Court sessions.
The latest results increased the number of convictions recorded during the first 10 phases from 1,721 to 2,512, marking a significant milestone in the prosecution of terrorism-related offences.
Beyond the overall figures, Laka highlighted the conviction of Suleiman Abu, who was sentenced to death after the court found him guilty of belonging to Boko Haram and participating in attacks on military installations and civilians.
The attacks were linked to deaths and serious injuries, according to the National Counter Terrorism Centre coordinator.
Giving a breakdown of the latest proceedings, Laka said seven defendants were acquitted, while 41 cases ended in discharges. Four cases were struck out, three were withdrawn, and 211 were adjourned. Eleven cases remained pending, while one was classified under another category.
He described the outcome as evidence of the government's determination to prosecute individuals involved in terrorism and ensure that those responsible, including their financiers, face legal consequences.
Laka stressed that the judicial process was not based on affiliations or associations but on evidence capable of establishing criminal responsibility beyond reasonable doubt.
He added that the trials reflected the importance of strengthening Nigeria's justice system while respecting the rule of law and the fundamental rights of defendants.
The National Counter Terrorism Centre maintained that holding terrorism suspects accountable through the courts remains a critical part of the country's broader efforts to confront insecurity.
Temidire Adefolarin
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