Boko Haram: FG prosecutes 75 terrorist suspects, convicts 8

The Federal Government said on Thursday that it had prosecuted 75 suspects in connection with alleged cases of terrorism and Boko Haram insurgency between 2011 and 2013.
The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mr Mohammed Adoke, said this at the 2013 Ministerial Platform in Abuja.
Adoke said that 16 of the cases had been concluded with eight convictions while 35 cases were struck out.
He said that a total of 244 general offences, including culpable homicide, rape, armed robbery and traffic offences were also handled by the ministry during the period under review.
“During the period under review, a total number of 75 cases of terrorism and Boko Haram insurgency were received and prosecuted.
“Sixteen of the cases have been concluded with eight convictions, while 35 were struck out. A good number of the terrorism cases were struck out because the accused persons had escaped during the attack on prisons in Bauchi and Maiduguri.
“The suspects will be arraigned as soon as they are apprehended.
“In addition, a total of 244 general offences, including culpable homicide, rape, armed robbery and traffic offences were handled.
“Fifteen cases have been concluded with 10 convictions. ’’
The minister said the ministry was able to save the government more than N 501 billion from court cases won by government.
“The ministry was able to conclude over 86 matters in the domestic court with others pending before the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice.
“Most of these cases concluded were in favour of the Government and the ministry was able to save government the sum of N501, 278,765,770.“
On the fight against corruption, the Attorney General said that the ministry was in the process of finalising a holistic and inclusive National Anti Corruption strategy.
He said that the ministry, in collaboration with relevant ministries, departments and agencies, had commenced the negotiation of nine Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements.
He said the measure was to create enabling environment for foreign investments into the country.
Adoke said that a total of 486 law officers and 1,744 non-lawyers in the ministry had received various training as part of effort to boost their capacity.
According to him, the training is to ensure that the members of staff of the ministry remain focused and motivated. (NAN)


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