Terror Suspects’ Trial Holds in Military Facilities

The Federal Government has concluded plans to proceed with the second phase of the prosecution of Boko Haram suspects currently being held in a military facility at Kainji, Niger State.

The Solicitor-General of the Federation, and Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mrs Beatrice Jedy-Agba, who stated this on Sunday, while speaking to journalists in Abuja, said extensive plans and preparations have advanced for the resumption of the trial which she said would hold in military facilities.

She said, “The Federal Government is taking steps to reconfigure the military holding facilities to make it adaptable and conducive for recommencement of trials.

“We will start the prosecution by the end of the first quarter of 2023. We are in the process of renovating and, in fact, reconstructing facilities such as the courtrooms and residential areas.

“It is important to ensure that there are enhanced measures put in place. We are utilising military facilities and therefore, they were not built like proper courts.”

“The resort to the use of military facilities is to ensure that trials are conducted in a safe and secure environment. There are risks associated with moving such a large number of accused persons at the same time for trial, so this is one critical issue that is of utmost concern.”