FG Begins Fresh Mass Trials of Terrorism Suspects Before Eight Federal High Court Judges
The Federal Government has commenced another round of terrorism-related trials at the Federal High Court in Abuja, with eight judges handling cases simultaneously. The proceedings renew questions about how large-scale prosecutions can deliver timely justice while protecting defendants’ fair-trial rights.
Eight Judges Handle Fresh Proceedings
The Federal Government has commenced another round of mass trials involving defendants facing terrorism-related charges at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
According to Premium Times, proceedings began on Thursday, 15 October 2026, across different courtrooms before eight judges: Justices Binta Nyako, James Omotosho, Salim Ibrahim, Emeka Nwite, Obiora Egwuatu, Hauwa Yilwa, Joyce Abdulmalik and Peter Lifu.
The scale of the exercise was reflected in the court lists. Thirty-four defendants were scheduled to appear before Justice Salim Ibrahim, while 25 were listed before Justice Peter Lifu.
Prosecution and Defence Teams Identified
The Federal Government’s prosecution team was led by Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation. The Director-General of the Legal Aid Council, Aliyu Abubakar, headed the defence team representing the defendants.
The proceedings are expected to continue for several days. The report does not establish the outcome of every case listed for the opening day, so the appearance of a defendant on a court list should not be treated as proof of guilt or as confirmation that an arraignment or trial has been completed.
Previous Trials Highlight the Scale of the Exercise
The latest proceedings follow mass trials conducted in April and June 2026. Premium Times reported that the April exercise involved 508 defendants, resulting in 386 convictions, eight discharges and two acquittals, while other cases were adjourned. During the June exercise, the government reportedly secured about 479 convictions, alongside discharges, an acquittal and further adjournments.
While mass proceedings may help courts address a large backlog of cases, their legitimacy depends on more than the number of cases concluded. Each defendant’s case must still be determined on its evidence, with meaningful legal representation and a fair opportunity to answer the charges.
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