by Ogbeni Olawale Dawodu~
The Federal Government on Tuesday began a new phase of mass trials for suspected terrorists at the Federal High Court in Abuja, temporarily relocating proceedings from Kainji as part of efforts to accelerate justice delivery.
The move coincides with the court’s Easter vacation, scheduled from April 7 to April 13. Despite the recess, selected judges have been assigned to handle urgent cases, with terrorism trials taking top priority.
At one of the sessions, about 20 suspects were arraigned before Justice Emeka Nwite, as the Abuja division witnessed a surge in judicial activity. In total, no fewer than 13 courtrooms are currently occupied with similar cases.
Other judges overseeing proceedings include Justices Binta Nyako, Musa Liman, and Akpan Ekerete, highlighting what officials describe as a “coordinated judicial push” to fast-track terrorism prosecutions.
Leading the Federal Government’s legal team, Rotimi Oyedepo said the relocation reflects a renewed urgency. “These proceedings underscore our commitment to ensuring that terrorism cases are handled swiftly and decisively,” he stated.
On the defence side, counsel led by Aliyu Abubakar maintained that the accused are entitled to fair trials, noting that “due process must remain paramount, regardless of the charges.”
Among those standing trial are Hamat Modu, Isah Ali, Awal Bello, and Shehu Bukar, alongside several others accused of terrorism-related offences.
Security around the court complex has been significantly reinforced. Armed personnel were deployed at key نقاط, access roads were sealed, and a police helicopter hovered over Abuja’s Central Business District.
A court official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the atmosphere as “one of the tightest security arrangements in recent times,” adding that “every measure is being taken to ensure proceedings continue without disruption.”
The relocation to Abuja signals a determined effort by authorities to speed up terrorism trials while maintaining strict security as the high-profile cases unfold.
