Trending 
The Nigerian government on Tuesday commenced the mass trial of suspected terrorists at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The trial involves individuals charged with terrorism-related offences.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), a previous mass trial of terrorism suspects was held in Kainji, Niger State.
Federal High Court judges are on vacation from 7 April to 13 April, with regular court sittings scheduled to resume on 14 April across all divisions.
Despite this, the 13 courtrooms at the court’s Abuja headquarters were occupied with terrorism cases on Tuesday morning, according to NAN.
Judges presiding over some of the cases include Binta Nyako, Emeka Nwite, Musa Liman, and Akpan Ekerete.
Rotimi Oyedepo, Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, led the prosecution team before Judge Nyako.
The defence team, representing 20 of the suspects, was led by Aliyu Abubakar, Director General of the Legal Aid Council.
Some of the suspects listed for hearing include Hamat Modu, Isah Ali, Awal Bello, Shehu Bukar, Alhaji Kulle, Mohammed Abacha Hassan, Aminami Mallum, Tasiu Yakubu, and Abdullahi Ali.
Security around the court was heightened, with roads leading to the complex blocked by armed personnel and a police helicopter patrolling the Central Business District, NAN reported.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu’s spokesperson, Sunday Dare, confirmed via X on Tuesday that the trial involves 500 suspected terrorists and is scheduled to last until 10 April 2026.
Dare noted that all 500 cases are expected to be heard and determined at the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division.
FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM: FG BEGINS MASS TRIAL OF 500 SUSPECTED TERRORISTS IN ABUJA. The trial which commenced today is scheduled to last till the 10th of April,2026, at D Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division.
All 500 cases are expected to be heard and/or determined pic.twitter.com/vmltFoEtoJ— Sunday Dare,CON (@SundayDareSD) April 7, 2026
