The Federal Government has secured 1,721 convictions for terrorism and related offences through its Mass Trial Programme, with more than half of the convictions recorded in 2026 alone, marking a major milestone in Nigeria’s prosecution of terrorism cases.
Speaking at the Joint Security Press Briefing by spokespersons of the security, defence and law enforcement agencies, the Director of Legal Services at the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Zakari Usman Mijinyawa, said the programme has strengthened the administration of criminal justice in terrorism cases through collaboration among the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Federal Ministry of Justice, the Judiciary, security and law enforcement agencies, and international partners.
According to him, the programme, which commenced in October 2017, has successfully concluded 10 phases of mass trials, resulting in 1,721 convictions for terrorism and related offences.
Mijinyawa said the government has remained committed to the principles of fair hearing by ensuring that defendants whose guilt could not be established beyond reasonable doubt were discharged or acquitted.
He said the programme demonstrates the Federal Government’s commitment to due process, the rule of law and internationally recognised fair trial standards.
Providing a breakdown of the convictions, Mijinyawa said the first three phases of the trials, conducted between 2017 and 2018 at Wawa Cantonment, Kainji, produced 366 convictions, alongside 882 discharges, five acquittals and 61 cases adjourned for continuation of trial.
Following the resumption of the programme in 2023, Phase Four recorded 14 convictions, while Phases Five and Six, conducted in 2024, produced 351 convictions, including convictions for terrorism financing, international crimes and sexual and gender-based violence.
During the same period, he said eight defendants were discharged, while three others were referred for medical or mental health evaluation.
Mijinyawa disclosed that Phases Seven and Eight, held in 2025, secured an additional 125 convictions before the programme recorded its highest number of convictions in 2026.
He said Phases Nine and Ten, conducted at the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, resulted in 865 convictions, comprising 386 convictions in Phase Nine and 479 in Phase Ten. The courts also discharged 28 defendants, acquitted one person and adjourned 224 cases for continuation of trial.
According to him, the 865 convictions secured in 2026 account for more than half of all terrorism-related convictions recorded since the programme began in 2017 and surpassed the combined total of 856 convictions secured between 2017 and 2025.
“The sustained implementation of the Mass Trial Programme underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring accountability for terrorism-related offences while upholding constitutional guarantees of fair trial, due process, and the rule of law,” Mijinyawa said.
He added that beyond securing convictions, the programme has ensured the continued prosecution of pending terrorism cases in line with court orders, while defendants against whom the prosecution failed to meet the required legal standard have been discharged or acquitted, reflecting the government’s determination to balance national security with the protection of fundamental rights.
Linus Aleke
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