The Nigerian government has commenced the mass trial of suspected terrorists at the Federal High Court in Abuja, with more than a dozen courtrooms simultaneously handling terrorism cases in what amounts to one of the most significant counter-terrorism legal proceedings held in the country’s capital on Tuesday 7th April 2026.
Thirteen courtrooms at the headquarters of the Federal High Court in Abuja were busy with terrorism cases on Tuesday morning, with the trial presided over by several judges including Justice Binta Nyako, Justice Emeka Nwite, Justice Musa Liman, and Justice Akpan Ekerete.
Rotimi Oyedepo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, led the federal government’s team of lawyers before trial judge Justice Nyako.
One of the first significant outcomes emerged from Justice Nyako’s court. A man identified as Hamatu Modu, described as a major food supplier to Boko Haram terrorists in Borno State, was sentenced to 40 years imprisonment. Modu confessed in open court to supplying food items and information to terrorists, and was charged on four counts to which he pleaded guilty.
Justice Nyako sentenced him to 10 years on each count, but ordered the terms to run concurrently, meaning he will effectively serve 10 years.
Security was visibly heightened across the court precinct. Heavy security was deployed in and around the Federal High Court as all roads leading to the court were blocked by armed personnel, while a police helicopter hovered over the Central Business District.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that previous mass trials of terrorism suspects took place in Kainji, Niger State.
The federal government has subjected a total of 1,743 suspected terrorists to trial across six phases since 2017, securing 742 convictions while 888 individuals were discharged and acquitted due to lack of evidence or other reasons.
