Court Convicts 386 Suspects For Terrorism

09th April, 2026 | News

The Federal Government has secured the conviction of 386 terrorism suspects following a series of mass trials at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, revealed that 508 defendants were arraigned before 10 courts within four days. Of these, 386 were convicted and handed prison sentences ranging from five years to life imprisonment, depending on the gravity of their offences.

Fagbemi further disclosed that eight defendants were discharged, while two were acquitted. He added that 112 suspects whose cases were not concluded will be included in the next phase of the trials scheduled between June 15 and 18, 2026.

The government noted that the mass convictions send a clear warning that Nigeria has no tolerance for terrorism or related crimes. It added that the initiative is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the justice system and deter criminal activities nationwide.

The development coincides with the sentencing of a former senatorial candidate in Borno State, Babagana Habeeb, who was jailed for 10 years for supplying fuel to the Boko Haram insurgents.

Habeeb was convicted by Justice Peter Odo Lifu on a charge of aiding and abetting terrorism. While he admitted to selling fuel in the North-East, he claimed the transactions may have been carried out by his attendants.

During the trial, he pleaded for leniency, stating that he had been in detention for over 10 years without contact with his family. However, prosecution counsel, David Kaswe, opposed the plea, arguing that the support provided to the insurgents contributed to deadly attacks and displacement of victims.

In his judgment, Justice Lifu held that there was no evidence linking Habeeb directly to membership or combat activities within Boko Haram, apart from the fuel supply. He subsequently sentenced him to 10 years imprisonment, effective from the date of his arrest and detention.