A Federal High Court in Borno State has issued an order for the release of 313 individuals suspected of involvement in terrorism, who were previously detained by the military. The court’s decision stemmed from a lack of sufficient evidence to substantiate the charges against the suspects following thorough investigations.
Maj. Gen. Buba Edward, the Director of Defence Media Operations, announced this development during a briefing on military operations across the nation held in Abuja. He assured the public of the military’s commitment to adhering to the court’s directive and releasing the individuals to the Borno State government.
The court’s ruling underscores the recurring challenge of securing convictions in terrorism-related cases due to insufficient evidence. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, previously highlighted the issue, noting that out of 1,323 suspects prosecuted for terrorism, only 366 convictions were secured. A significant number, 896 individuals, were discharged due to lack of substantial evidence to support the charges against them.
Fagbemi emphasized the importance of sustaining efforts to address this challenge, particularly through initiatives such as the Kainji Prosecution Project, which commenced in October 2017. The project aims to ensure the effective prosecution of terrorism-related cases, thereby contributing to national security and the well-being of Nigerian citizens.
The court’s decision to release the suspected terrorists underscores the critical need for thorough investigation and presentation of compelling evidence in prosecuting such cases, to uphold the rule of law while effectively combating terrorism in Nigeria.
