Trending 
The Nigerian government on Monday began another batch of mass trials of suspected terrorists charged with terrorism-related offences, with proceedings moved from Kainji to the High Court in Abuja.
No fewer than 58 suspected terrorists were listed for trial on Monday before Justice Emeka Nwite, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.
The defendants include Abba Bukar, Abba Manye, Gujja Mala Bukar, Brem Gonimi, Isa Mohammed, Lawali Dashiri Danke, Yau Tukur, also known as Mai-Auduga, and Bello Liman, also known as Alhaji Bell Doctor, among others.
The prosecution is being led by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, while the Director-General of the Legal Aid Council, Aliyu Abubakar, leads the defence team.
The trial is taking place in all courtrooms of the High Court and is expected to last one week.
Trial judges include Justices Binta Nyako, Emeka Nwite, Musa Liman, James Omotosho, Obiora Egwuatu and Ekerete Akpan, among others.
Speaking to newsmen, Fagbemi cited logistical reasons for transferring the cases from Kainji in Niger State to Abuja, where such trials have usually been held.
“Whether the cases are tried in Kainji or Maiduguri, those to try terrorism suspects are judges of the Federal High Court,” Fagbemi said.
“It is more convenient here; we have more courtrooms and facilities. We have 10 judges at a time, you know what it means. It means a lot,” he added.
Almost all other matters scheduled at the court on Monday were rescheduled for the mass trial.
Security has been beefed up in and around the Central Business District and the High Court, with all roads leading to the court blocked by armed security personnel.
The mass trial follows a previous batch in which 500 suspected terrorists were tried between April 7 and April 10 at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Fagbemi said those 500 suspects were being prosecuted under Phase 9 of the mass trial of suspected terrorists in Abuja.
