By Kamsi Anayo
The Federal Government on Monday arraigned more than 400 suspected terrorists before Federal High Courts in Abuja as part of its ongoing effort to tackle insurgency and terrorism-related crimes across the country.
The suspects were brought before different judges of the court on Monday in a coordinated exercise that saw proceedings take place simultaneously in several courtrooms.
The special sitting also affected normal court activities, with many regular cases put on hold to allow judges participate in the mass trial.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), is leading the prosecution team.
He is being assisted by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), alongside other government lawyers handling the cases.
Many of the defendants are facing allegations bordering on terrorism, terrorism financing, as well as aiding and supporting insurgent groups.
Those who cannot afford legal representation are being defended by lawyers provided through the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria.
The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, assigned a number of judges to handle the special proceedings in what officials described as part of efforts to speed up the prosecution of long-pending terrorism cases.
Security was noticeably tightened around the Federal High Court complex as the exercise began.
Armed soldiers were deployed around strategic points, while access roads leading to the court were heavily monitored.
