As the date for the commencement of the trial of suspected Boko Haram terrorists inch closer, the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami SAN, has said that the trial of Boko Haram suspects would be done within the justice safeguards and in compliance with the rule of law.
In a press statement made available to newsmen on Wednesday by Comrade Salihu Othman Isah, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Minister, Malami told participants in a one-day sensitization workshop organized by Federal Ministry of Justice in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) on Kainji Prosecution Project that fairplay will be guaranteed during the trial.
The AGF represented by the Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, Mr. Oludayo Toba Apata, he expressed that deradicalization is an essential element of the project and solicits the support all the participants, emphasizing that, peace in the Northeast is peace for all.
Malami also expressed appreciation to the security agencies involved in the theatre of war in the Northeast especially the military, stressing that their support, cooperation and understanding was still anticipated.
Speaking earlier, in his welcome remarks, Mohammed Etsu Umar, Director, Public Prosecution of the Federation said that innocent Boko Haram suspects would be handed over to ‘Operation Safe Corridor’ which is domiciled at the Office of the National Security Adviser for the purposes of deradicalization and countering violent extremism before releasing them to the larger society.
Etsu also explained that Attorney General of the Federation and National Security Adviser had perfected plans to carry out expeditious prosecutions to enable the courts decide the fate of the detained suspected terrorists.
Giving insight into the activities of the terror group, the director hinted that the group had since been proscribed.
He said, “The insurgence of the terror group has led to its proscription by the Federal Government in May 24th, 2013 thereby making the membership of Boko Haram an offence punishable with at least twenty (20) years imprisonment under the Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act, 2013”.
He warmly appreciated, the development partners that stood by Nigeria especially in the areas of capacity building and other technical supports listing them to include, British High Commission, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC), European Union (EU), United States Embassy, International Committee of the Red Cross who had been silently, but tirelessly committed to assisting the military with the welfare and wellbeing of the detainees.
Delivering a goodwill message, Representative of British High Commission, Harriet Thompson noted that combating terrorism is a complex task involving a lot of people, surmising that the United Kingdom is committed to assisting Nigeria in curtailing terror attacks and other related issues.
UNODC representative, Rosemary Fernandez commended the initiative of the Attorney General of the Federation and National Security Adviser for coming up with this initiative; which according to them was timely.
They pledged continued support and commitment of the UN to stem the wave of terrorism and other criminalities in Nigeria.
Similarly, Harry Branny of the Red Cross Committee expressed happiness being part of the workshop emphasizing that the Red Cross support the commitment the Nigerian government is making in order to cope with the challenges of insurgency.
He said that the activities of the Red Cross includes defense of the rights of the detainees and to ensure they have contacts with their relatives.
Branny further underlined the need to look into rights of the detainees especially women and children who are the most vulnerable.
