Nigeria Mass Terrorism Trial Ends With 386 Convictions in Four Days
Quick Reads
- Nigeria’s Federal High Court in Abuja secured 386 terrorism convictions from 508 cases across four days of mass trials ending Friday, April 10, 2026.
- Ten judges sat simultaneously during the Easter vacation to accelerate the ninth phase of the prosecutions.
- Sentences ranged from five years to life imprisonment, with some convicts also ordered to undergo rehabilitation and de-radicalisation.
- A court sentenced former Borno State senatorial candidate Babagana Habeeb to 10 years in prison for selling petrol to Boko Haram.
- Four Boko Haram members received life sentences after pleading guilty before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court
Nigeria’s Federal Government concluded the ninth phase of its mass terrorism prosecution on Friday, April 10, 2026. A court in Abuja convicted 386 terrorism suspects out of 508 cases brought before ten judges over four days. Many suspects pleaded guilty to charges filed by the Federal Government, and sentences ranged from five years to life imprisonment.
Nigeria Mass Terrorism Trial: What the Numbers Say
Attorney General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi confirmed the outcome to journalists on Friday. “In total, we brought about 508 cases. Of these 508, we were able to secure 386 convictions,” he said. The court discharged eight suspects, acquitted two, and adjourned 112 cases to the next phase scheduled for June 15–18, 2026. Lateef Fagbemi said the decisions proved that due process was followed. Observers from Amnesty International, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, and the Nigerian Bar Association were present throughout the proceedings.
Life Sentences, Long Terms, and Rehabilitation Orders
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court sentenced four Boko Haram terrorists to life imprisonment after they pleaded guilty. The four are Ali Abiso, Bakura Kabiru, Ado (also known as Luka Garba), and Babagoni Masawai. Omotosho also convicted 14 other suspects, handing down terms of 20 to 25 years. Justice Binta Nyako presided over a separate batch of cases. She jailed Auwal Bello for 10 years after he admitted exchanging N750,000 during the naira swap period for Boko Haram’s benefit and paying N20,000 as a levy to the group. Her bench ordered all convicts to undergo rehabilitation and de-radicalisation after serving their terms.
Ex-Senatorial Candidate Jailed for Fuelling Insurgency
In a separate ruling on April 10, Justice Peter Lifu sentenced Babagana Habeeb to 10 years in prison in Abuja. Habeeb, a Maiduguri fuel dealer and 2015 candidate, admitted insurgents bought fuel from his station in open court.Prosecutor David Kaswe told the court fuel supplied to Boko Haram enabled motorcycle attacks killing civilians and destroying homes. The judge found no evidence Habeeb belonged to Boko Haram but ruled selling fuel amounted to aiding terrorism.The court ordered the 10-year term to run from the date of his arrest, making him immediately eligible for release.
Nigeria’s Security Crisis: The Bigger Picture
Nigeria faces a complex security crisis, especially across the north. AP News reports that the insurgency in the northeast has lasted more than a decade. Boko Haram and its breakaway faction, Islamic State West Africa Province, continue to operate as the most prominent armed groups. The IS-linked Lakurawa group operates in northwestern communities bordering the Niger Republic.
The Attorney General emphasized that the scale of convictions sends a direct warning. Lateef Fagbemi said the judges’ punishments send a clear signal that Nigeria has no space for people involved in terrorism and its financing.
