The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court on Tuesday began the mass trial of suspected terrorists charged with terrorism offences.

The trial, which usually takes place at Kainji in Niger, was moved to Abuja since the court is currently on Easter vacation.

The vacation, which commenced on Tuesday (today), will end on Monday, and regular court sittings will resume on April 14, across all divisions of the court.

Another 20 suspected terrorists are facing trial before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday, with 13 courts currently hearing terrorist cases.

Some of the trial judges are Justice Binta Nyako, Justice Emeka Nwite, Justice Musa Liman, and Akpan Ekerete, among others.

While Rotimi Oyedepo, the director of public prosecutions of the federation, led the team of the federal government’s lawyers, before Mr Nyako, Aliyu Abubakar, the director general of the Legal Aid Council, led the team of lawyers for the 20 suspected terrorists.

Some of the suspected terrorists in Mr Nyako’s cause list include Hamat Modu, Isah Ali, Awal Bello, Shehu Bukar, Alhaji Kulle, Mohammed Abacha Hassan, Aminami Mallum, Tasiu Yakubu, Abdullahi Ali, among others.

There was a heavy security beef-up in and around the court, with all roads leading to the court blocked by armed security personnel, while a police helicopter hovered over the Central Business District.

(NAN)