The commencement of trials for Boko Haram suspects in detention facilities has been delayed despite the federal government’s promise to start cases in early December 2022.
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Sources say security worries over the safety of judges, lawyers and witnesses are causing the hold-up.
In November last year, Attorney General Lateef Fagbemi, SAN had announced trials would begin within two weeks at the Kainji Prosecution Project Phase IV in Niger State. He even suggested adopting virtual court procedures to prevent delays. However, four months later, no trials have kicked off.
Officials at the Justice Ministry informed that the cases are being reviewed considering the security risks involved. The identities of the judges and legal teams may need protection given the sensitive terror charges. Logistics like transporting them to remote locations is also still being worked out.
About 2,000 detained Boko Haram suspects face trial for terror activities in the North-East. Some may be transferred to rehabilitation centers to ease overcrowding at detention facilities before their cases start. Judges and federal prosecutors have reportedly been waiting for word from the Chief Justice on commencement dates.
Funding may be another constraint, with the 2024 budget allocating N210 million for prosecuting terror suspects – a huge drop from the N500 million per year in 2022 and 2023. Human rights lawyers urged the government to expedite trials to deter further terrorism and insecurity.
The delays have raised questions if the political will exists to pursue justice, given past suspicions of government sympathy for the militant group. But officials insist the cases remain a priority once security considerations for the trial process are sorted out
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