The Federal Government has recorded 653 convictions in the ongoing mass trial of terrorism suspects at the Federal High Court in Abuja, as authorities intensify efforts to prosecute terrorism-related offences and clear a backlog of pending cases.
Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), disclosed the figures on Friday, October 23, while providing an update on the proceedings. He said 1,060 defendants had been brought before the court during the 11th phase of the mass trials.
According to Fagbemi, 880 cases had been heard as of approximately 12:15 p.m., resulting in 653 convictions, seven acquittals and 27 discharges. He stressed that the figures were provisional because the exercise was still ongoing, adding that the government would announce the final statistics after the proceedings concluded.
11th Phase Marks Major Prosecution Drive
The current exercise is the third phase of the Federal Government’s mass terrorism trials conducted in 2026 and the 11th phase since the special proceedings began.
Fagbemi described the latest round as potentially the largest since the initiative commenced, attributing the progress to cooperation among the judiciary, prosecution and defence lawyers, security agencies and other institutions involved in the administration of justice.
The proceedings are being conducted simultaneously in multiple courtrooms, with several judges hearing cases to accelerate the determination of terrorism-related prosecutions.
The defendants were brought before the courts over various offences connected with terrorism, including alleged involvement in terrorist activities, providing assistance to insurgents, concealing information about terrorist operations and terrorism financing.
The reported convictions therefore cover a range of terrorism-related offences and should not be interpreted as meaning that every convicted defendant was found guilty of personally carrying out a terrorist attack.
Judiciary, Security Agencies Commended
The Attorney-General commended the judges handling the proceedings, particularly Justice Binta Nyako, who has been acting on behalf of the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, in connection with the exercise.
He also acknowledged the contributions of prosecution counsel, defence lawyers and relevant security and justice institutions.
Among the agencies recognised were the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services, the military, the Nigeria Police Force, correctional facilities and the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria.
According to Fagbemi, cooperation among these institutions has been instrumental in advancing the prosecution of terrorism, terrorism financing and related offences.
The mass trials form part of the government’s broader effort to ensure that suspects arrested in connection with terrorism-related activities are brought before competent courts for their cases to be determined.
AGF Clarifies Defendants’ Access to Lawyers
Fagbemi also addressed concerns about the legal representation available to defendants, particularly the impression that only lawyers from the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria were participating in their defence.
He clarified that private legal practitioners were also representing some defendants, while the Legal Aid Council continued to provide legal assistance to eligible persons.
According to the minister, defence lawyers had opportunities to consult their clients before court appearances, including through visits to detention facilities, to enable them to prepare their cases.
He explained that some preparatory activities could not be opened to public scrutiny because of security considerations surrounding the proceedings.
The clarification highlights an important aspect of the exercise: the need to expedite terrorism prosecutions while maintaining access to legal representation and the judicial process.
Fagbemi also rejected the suggestion that journalists had been deliberately excluded from covering the proceedings. He said access restrictions were linked to security considerations and maintained that accredited journalists could attend subject to the applicable arrangements.
Deradicalisation and Reintegration Remain Key Issues
Beyond prosecution and punishment, the Attorney-General identified deradicalisation as an important component of the process.
He said suspects recommended for the relevant measures would undergo the required assessment and rehabilitation arrangements intended to support their eventual reintegration into society, where appropriate.
According to Fagbemi, the objective is to help eligible individuals reconsider their actions, return to civilian life and reduce the risk of renewed involvement in extremist activities.
However, deradicalisation and rehabilitation remain distinct from the determination of criminal liability by the courts. Any discharge or acquittal must be understood in accordance with the specific judicial decision in each case.
The implementation of rehabilitation recommendations, including the practical arrangements for reintegration, will remain an important consideration as the mass trials progress.
Security Challenges Persist
The latest convictions come amid Nigeria’s continuing struggle with insurgency, terrorism, kidnappings and other forms of insecurity, particularly in parts of the northern region.
The mass trials represent one part of the government’s response: bringing suspects before the courts, determining criminal responsibility and imposing appropriate penalties where guilt is established.
Earlier in 2026, another major round of proceedings resulted in 386 convictions out of 508 defendants brought before the courts.
The April exercise also involved multiple judges and resulted in varying outcomes, including acquittals and discharges.
The latest round demonstrates the scale of the prosecution effort, but conviction figures alone do not establish whether the security situation has improved. That assessment also requires evidence of reduced attacks, effective disruption of terrorist networks, accountability for financing and logistical support, and sustained protection for affected communities.
Final Figures Awaited
As of Friday afternoon, Fagbemi said the current figures remained subject to revision when the exercise concluded.
The 653 convictions, seven acquittals and 27 discharges were recorded from the 880 cases heard at that point, while 1,060 defendants had been brought before the courts during the phase.
The outstanding cases and the government’s final report will provide a clearer picture of the overall outcome.
For now, the proceedings mark a significant step in the Federal Government’s campaign to accelerate terrorism-related prosecutions. Their lasting significance, however, will depend not only on the number of cases determined but also on the fairness of the proceedings, implementation of judicial decisions and measurable progress in addressing the security threats facing Nigerians.