The Federal Government has allocated approximately N1.4 billion over the past 18 months for rehabilitating repentant terrorists and establishing centers dedicated to terrorism trials, according to findings by The PUNCH.
This development aligns with the creation of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre, established following former President Muhammadu Buhari’s signing of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Bill on May 12, 2022. By December of the same year, the government announced plans to set up two disarmament, deradicalisation, rehabilitation, and reintegration facilities to accommodate ex-Boko Haram members and other terrorist factions.
The NCTC Coordinator, Rear Admiral Yem Musa (retd.), informed the House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence that N2.4 billion had been budgeted for these facilities as part of the center’s N3.8 billion capital expenditure for 2023.
Breakdown of Expenditures
An analysis conducted via GovSpend, a civic tech platform monitoring government expenditure, revealed that from December 2022 to May 2024, the Ministry of Justice allocated N1.4 billion for constructing rehabilitation centers and repurposing an abandoned building for terrorism-related case trials.
In March 2023, the Ministry disbursed N612 million across three firms for these projects under Operation Safe Corridor.
El-haby Concept Limited received N286.7 million for refurbishing and furnishing a building designated for terrorism case trials at Giwa Barracks.
Interprise Limited was paid N21.5 million for consultancy services related to designing facilities for repentant terrorists, while Fosab Global Energy Service Limited received N303.7 million as part of the costs for constructing a rehabilitation center.
In 2024, additional payments totaling N179 million were made to three firms for similar initiatives.
Jayjaysen Integrated Links Ltd received N11.5 million on March 22, 2024, for supplying office equipment to aid terrorism prosecutions. Estergel Ltd was paid N16.4 million on April 8, 2024, for procuring related accessories.
Fosab Global Energy Service Ltd received another N151.8 million on May 3, 2024, for ongoing construction of the rehabilitation center.
Secret Terrorism Trials
The NCTC reported securing convictions for 325 terrorists during Phase 5 and Phase 6 of trials conducted at the Kainji Detention Facility.
These trials resulted in varying sentences, ranging from the death penalty to life imprisonment and terms spanning 20 to 70 years.
In Phase 5, held in July 2024, 143 cases were heard, yielding 125 convictions. Phase 6 involved 237 cases, with 200 convictions secured.
Despite these proceedings, the government has yet to announce the timeline for Phase 7 trials.
When contacted to explain why these trials were held in secret, the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice did not provide a response.
Divergent Opinions on Secret Trials
The secretive nature of these trials has sparked mixed reactions among security experts and civil society organizations.
Security analyst Lekan Jackson-Ojo criticized the approach, stating, “When politicians, armed robbers, or the so-called Yahoo boys commit offences, the press is allowed to report on it, and the entire world knows about it. But why are we trying these enemies of humanity, enemies of God—the Satanists—in secrecy?
“For over 20 years, members of the Boko Haram terrorist group have been in Nigeria, killing thousands of people and rendering millions homeless. How many of these people have been sentenced to life imprisonment?”
Another expert, Chidi Omeje, also expressed disapproval, questioning the military’s involvement in shielding terrorists from public scrutiny, “Why would they conduct secret trials? Does it mean the military, for example, is trying to protect these terrorists who are also killing their personnel?”
Omeje added, “The terrorists have killed a lot of military officers. So, why would the military participate in any action to shield their prosecution? I think it has to do with procedural issues because they are dealing with so many arrested terrorists.”
However, Kabir Adamu offered a different perspective, emphasizing security concerns, “It is very commendable that this administration has prioritised the trial of suspects, especially those facing terrorism-related charges and who have been in detention for a very long time, some for more than a decade. However, these trials must be conducted according to standard procedures to ensure transparency and compliance with the rule of law.”
