Justice James Omotosho handed down the judgment after they pleaded guilty to the charges preferred against them by the federal government and a witness from the Department of State Services, DSS, gave evidence accordingly.

Justice Omotosho, on Tuesday, also convicted and sentenced 14 others to different jail terms, ranging from 20 to 25 years in each of the counts filed against them.

Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, the Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF, and Minister of Justice, led the federal government’s lawyers, including Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, in the proceedings.

The confessional statements of the convicts and  investigation reports were tendered by the prosecution through the DSS witness and were admitted in evidence and marked as exhibits.

Those convicts, who bagged life imprisonment, are Ali Abiso, Bakura Abah Kabiru, Ado (a.k.a Luka Garba) and Babagoni Masawai.

In one of the charges, marked: FHC/KNJ/CR/509/2026, the federal government sued  Abiso as sole defendant.

After the counts were read to him, Abiso pleaded guilty to all the four counts.

Justice Omotosho, who sentenced Abiso to life imprisonment in counts two and four, committed him to 25 years jail term in each of counts one and count three, totalling 50 years.

The judge, however, directed that the sentencing in counts one and three must run concurrently.

“The plea of guilty made by the defendant corroborates his confessional statement and the court is of the irresistible view that the defendant is guilty as charged of the four counts charge.

“In final analysis, this court is satisfied that the prosecution has established the charge against the defendant beyond reasonable doubt. Consequently, he is convicted as charged,” Justice Omotosho ruled.

In count four, the convict, a 30-year-old man from Bama local government area of Borno, was alleged to have, on or before July 8, 2022, aided and participated in Boko Haram attacks carried out in Bama, Gwoza, Konduga, Bita, Baza and Aulari.

The offence, the prosecution said, was contrary to Section 17 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Also, Bakura Abah Kabiru, who actively participated in the terror group’s activities, was sentenced to life imprisonment in count two and given a 25-year jail term in each of counts one and three.

For Ado (a.k.a Luka Garba), the judge committed him to life imprisonment in count two and 25 years in count one.

Babagoni Masawai was sentenced to life in jail in counts six and seven; 20 years imprisonment in counts one and two while the judge committed him to 10 years in each of counts three, four and five respectively.

Justice Omotosho equally sentenced 14 other convicts to various jail terms.

The judge delivered the judgment after they all pleaded guilty to the charges and their confessional statements with investigation reports tendered through the DSS investigator who testified as prosecution witness.

The convicts are Ali Mustapha, who bagged 20 years in count one and 10 years in each of counts two to seven, making 80 years.

The judge, however, ordered that the sentencing shall run concurrently after a plea for mercy.

Other defendants who were convicted and sentenced by Justice Omotosho for terrorism-related offences are  Danbawa Salisu, Modu Ali, Sanda Bello, Mustapha Fali, Modu Musa, Bidal Modu and Mohammed Abdullahi.

Others are Umar Garba, Usman Ahmadu, Hussaini Bukar, Baba Manye, Musa Mai Modu and Ali Musa.

Source: NAN

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Justice Binta Nyako, in a judgment, also convicted Bello of paying tax of N20, 000 to Boko Haram contrary to Section 21 of the Terrorism Prevention Act, 2013.

Justice Nyako, who found Bello guilty of the offence after he pleaded guilty to the two-count charge preferred against him by the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF, ordered that the sentencing shall run concurrently.

The federal government in the charge, marked: FHC/KNJ/CR/563/2026, sued Bello as sole defendant.

In count one, Bello of Mantari Village in the Bama local government area of Borno was alleged to have in 2023, rendered support by facilitating Nigerian currency notes of N750, 000 to Boko Haram contrary to Section 13 of the Terrorism Prevention Act, 2013, and punishable under the same act.

In count two, he was accused to have paid a N20, 000 tax to the terrorist organisation contrary to Section 21 of Terrorism Prevention Act, 2013.

Bello, who pleaded guilty to the charge, begged the court to temper justice with mercy.

Justice Nyako ordered that Bello be rehabilitated and deradicalised.

In another case involving Hamat Modu, who pleaded guilty to being a member of Boko Haram group, Justice Nyako sentenced him to 10 years jail term in each of the four counts bordering on terrorism offences, following his guilty plea.

The judge, who directed that the counts must run concurrently, also ordered that Modu should undergo rehabilitation and deradicalisation.

Also, Isah Ali, who was 18-year-old at the time of his arrest, pleaded not guilty to count one but pleaded guilty to count two of the two-count charge.

M. Jibo, lawyer to the federal government, applied that the court should strike out count one and accordingly convict Ali in count two.

She urged the court to also admit his confessional statement and investigation report as exhibits.

Ali, while pleading for mercy, said he was young when he was drafted into the terror group.

The defence lawyer, Aliyu Abubakar, the Director General, Legal Aid Council, also pleaded for mercy.

“The defendant was 18 years when he was arrested and had been in detention since three years now.

“It is another case of terrorism by association. We pleaded that the court should take this into consideration in sentencing him,” he begged.

Justice Nyako, who struck out count one, sentenced the defendant to 10 years imprisonment in count two and ordered for his rehabilitation and deradicalisation.

The judge, in another case, sentenced Shehu Bukar to 20 years imprisonment in count three in which he pleaded guilty out of the five counts preferred against him.

Count three accused him of rendering support as livestock rustler by selling goats to Boko Haram group contrary to Section 5 of Terrorism Prevention Act, 2013.

Bukar, however, pleaded not guilty to other counts, including count two where he was alleged to have participated in a terrorist attack at Konduga in Borno where scores of people were killed.

A 43-year-old Alhaji Kulle was sentenced to a five-year jail term in count one and three of the three-count terrorism charge which must run concurrently.

The prosecution had, in the count three, accused Kulle of paying the sum of N6,000 to Boko Haram weekly, knowing that the money would be used to finance terrorism activities.

Justice Nyako equally jailed Tasiu Yakubu seven years in a one-count charge preferred against him by the federal government.

The AGF and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, who led other lawyers including Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, the Director of Public Prosecutions, in the trial, tendered Yakubu’s confessional statement and investigation report as evidence before the court, urging the court to convict Yakubu in accordance with the law.

Abubakar, DG of Legal Aid, did not object but prayed the court to temper justice with mercy since the defendant had been remorseful.

But Fagbemi argued that based on Section 5 of the Terrorism Prevention Act, Yakubu ought to be given 20 years imprisonment though his sentencing might run from his date of arrest.

According to him, sentencing guidelines must follow what the law says.

After listening to the parties, Justice Nyako sentenced Yakubu to seven years jail term from the date of his arrest and ordered for his rehabilitation and deradicalisation.

In another development, Justice Nyako sentenced Abdullahii Ali to a 20-year imprisonment in a one-count charge filed against him.

Ali, who was alleged to have rendered support to the Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, by assisting through logistic supply of fuel to the terror group, admitted committing the offence.

The offence is said to be contrary to Section 13 and 13(b) of the Terrorism Prevention Act, 2013.

Fagbemi urged the court to sentence him in accordance with the law.

The judge, in his judgment, sentenced Ali to 20-year jail term beginning from November 20, 2023, which was the date of his arrest.

Source: NAN

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The post Boko Haram: How court sentenced terrorists in Abuja trial appeared first on Frontpageng.

Chief Lateef Fagbemi, Chairman of the APC NCCCS, and Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, made this known during a meeting of the committee on Thursday in Abuja.

Fagbemi, represented by the Assistant Secretary of the Committee and Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, also promised fair play in the 2027 General Elections.

According to him, the party is tightening its grip on the road to 2027, rolling out a battery of committees and promising a rule-bound, national convention.

He explained that at the heart of the push is a high-powered legal committee tasked with one job: to keep the party on the right side of the law.

“This is a legal committee that is formed with the sole mandate of looking at legal issues to comply with the extant laws of this country.

“That is the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Act, the party’s constitution, and then, of course, other guidelines that may be, from time to time, be issued by the Electoral Body.

“So we felt that, as a party, moving towards convention, this committee has to sit down and look at all those issues,” he explained.

Fagbemi said several committees were formed to look at the issue of legal framework, dispute resolution, documentation, drafting some legal instruments, and so many other things that may be necessary during and after the convention.

He said that as Democrats, APC also decided to look at the issue of inclusivity of all party members.

“So we decided to form a particular committee that will look at all the aspirants and discuss with them to see how we can form a formidable consensus that will scale us through the convention exercise.

“So for us, we are set,” he said.

Fagbemi said the committee was being headed by himself, the Attorney General of the Federation and the former Governor of Katsina State, Ibrahim Shema, Sen. Victor Ndoma-Egba and many senior advocates of Nigeria.

He added that the committee also included: academicians and other lawyers that had contributed immensely.

He said they had received all the reports of the various committees.

According to him, with that, NCCCS is swinging into action so as to avoid any issue that might arise before, during, and after convention.

Fagbemi said that with the structure on ground, APC was ready for fair play.

He described the party as law-abiding and respectful of democratic principles, aligning its approach with the rule-of-law agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

“We respect the rule of law, and we remember the President, Bola Tinubu, who is a true democrat keep on saying, and showing by his action, that he is a true democrat.

“He has identified the promotion of the rule of law as one of the Renewed Hope Agenda of his administration because he gave priority to the rule of law.

“That is why this committee was formed to look at all the interests of all members of the party,” he said.

Highlighting its national outlook, Fagbemi maintained that the party remained open to all Nigerians regardless of region, age, or background, stressing that its growing strength is rooted in inclusivity and internal cohesion.

He said the party would not exclude anybody adding that APC went to the root of the democratic process and of all the concerns and interests of Nigerians.

“You can see how the party is waxing stronger and stronger. It is the largest party in sub-Saharan Africa, or in Africa, if I may say.

“So that is why, we are forming a formidable team that will address all issues, all concerns, so that we will be able to move together as a team that will be able to support our president to build a prosperous Nigeria.”

Source: NAN

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He praised President Bola Tinubu’s visionary leadership, which enabled the breakthrough.

The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, who spoke after the signing of the legal agreement that brought the dispute to an end in Abuja, described the development as a milestone in repositioning Nigeria’s economic landscape.

“The agreement marks a turning point for Nigeria’s oil and gas sector after more than two decades of legal battles and international arbitration,” he said.

The federal government reached this settlement with Eni and Nigerian Agip Exploration Limited, NAEL, effectively ending the protracted dispute over OPL 245.

Fagbemi emphasised that resolving the dispute over OPL 245 will recalibrate the national economy and bolster the federal government’s fiscal position.

According to him, early in the administration, President Tinubu directed that all disputes over the oil block be resolved amicably in the best interests of the Nigerian people.

“The clear vision and deep commitment of President Tinubu provided the political will required to bring closure to this protracted dispute. The agreement demonstrates Nigeria’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and the rule of law.”

The Attorney-General explained that the settlement, which would culminate in a Consent Arbitral Award, not only resolves a complex international dispute but also restores Nigeria’s credibility as a responsible partner in global business.

He further highlighted several strategic economic benefits expected from the resolution, including the removal of legal and fiscal uncertainties that previously hindered the development of the oil block.

“This development will pave the way for large-scale investments, stimulate job creation, and reinforce Nigeria’s position as a leading energy producer in Africa,” he said.

Fagbemi also noted that projected revenues from the asset could now be included in the country’s medium-term fiscal framework, thereby supporting budget stability, long-term economic planning, and debt sustainability.

He added that resolving the dispute through negotiated settlement rather than prolonged arbitration underscores Nigeria’s commitment to alternative dispute resolution and enhances the country’s credibility in international commercial and arbitration circles.

“This settlement sends a clear signal to the global community that Nigeria is open for business and committed to fairness and respect for contractual obligations,” he said.

The Attorney-General also commended key institutions and stakeholders that contributed to the successful resolution, including the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and international partners such as Eni and Shell.

He emphasised that the settlement represented the triumph of dialogue over conflict and national interest over narrow considerations.

“With this agreement, Nigeria can now move forward with confidence, ensuring that the development of OPL 245 becomes a source of prosperity for the nation and future generations,” Fagbemi stated.

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Trial judge, Justice Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, directed the EFCC to call its first witness.

Although Joseph Daudu, SAN, who appeared for the defendants, attempted to draw the court’s attention to his clients’ pending bail application, the judge declined the lawyer’s request.

Justice Abdulmalik reminded Daudu that on the last adjourned date, she made an order to the effect.

Justice Abdulmalik held that the bail application and other motions would be taken after the EFCC’s 1st prosecution witness (PW-1) had given his evidence-in-chief.

Following the directive, the EFCC lawyer, Jibrin Okutepa, SAN, called their (PW-1), David Ajoma, a banker.

Giving his evidence, Ajoma told the court that he worked as a compliance officer with Sterling Bank in Abuja.

He said he had worked with the bank for three years and handled compliance requests from law enforcement agencies.

The PW-1 testified that on December 2, 2025, Sterling Bank received a request from the EFCC seeking details of loan facilities granted to Rayham Hotel Limited.

According to him, the bank subsequently forwarded the requested documents, including the account opening package, loan account statements, and other supporting records.

The witness, who was led in evidence-in-chief by Okutepa, further told the court that the loan facility granted to Rayham Hotel Limited was backed by a cash collateral from Metropolitan Autotech.

He explained that both Metropolitan Autotech and Rayham Hotel Limited maintained separate accounts with Sterling Bank.

He said the signatory to the Metropolitan Autotech account was one Hassan Aliyu.

Under cross-examination by Daudu, Ajoma admitted that he was not the relationship manager for either Rayham Hotel Limited or Metropolitan Autotech accounts and was therefore not privy to the specific details or purposes of inflows into the accounts.

He also confirmed that the name of the former AGF, Malami, did not appear on the loan application documents presented to the court.

According to the witness, the only name appearing on the loan application was Abdulaziz Malami, who signed as the Managing Director of Rayham Hotel Limited.

Ajoma further told the court that none of the transactions reviewed by the bank originated from any government account, the Federal Ministry of Justice or from Malami personally.

The witness also stated that from the documents available before the court, he could not identify any suspicious transaction linked to the accounts under review.

He added that no transaction was found to be in breach of regulations issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

After the witness concluded his testimony, Daudu moved the bail application for Malami, his wife and their son.

Although Okutepa told the court that the commission would not be opposing, he urged the judge to impose conditions that would guarantee the defendants’ availability for trial.

Justice Abdulmalik granted the bail application following no objection by the anti-graft agency.

The judge admitted Malami, his wife and son to a N200 million bail each with two sureties each in like sum.

Justice Abdulmalik ordered that one of the sureties shall deposit his or her title deeds of a landed property located at Maitama or Asokoro, Abuja, to the registrar of the court.

The judge, who ordered the defendants to also deposit their passports (travel document) with the court, held that the trio would be remanded in Kuje and Suleja Correctional Centres pending the perfection of their bail terms.

Malami, Asabe and Abdulaziz are being prosecuted on a 16-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering to the tune of N8. 7 billion.

Justice Abdulmalik had, on February 27, admitted Malami and Abdulaziz to a N200 million bail with two sureties in like sum in another charge earlier filed by the Department of State Services, DSS, over alleged terrorism and illegal possession of firearms.

The case had, since, been taken over by the office of the current AGF, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN.

Source: NAN

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He was dragged to court before Justice Peter Kekemeke,  FCT High Court, Maitama, Abuja by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, on a three-count charge bordering on property forgery.

In the earlier sitting, the Director, Public Prosecution of the Federation, DPPF, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, informed the court that the AGF was taking over the case from ICPC and asked for an adjournment to enable the AGF study the case file.

At the resumed sitting, Oyedepo informed the court that he was instructed by the AGF to withdraw the instant charge against the defendant pursuant to Section 108 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.

According to the DPPF, the withdrawal was to enable the AGF to strengthen his review of all the cases before all the agencies.

Paul Erokoro, SAN, counsel for Ozekhome who led over 15 SANs and other retinue of lawyers, had no objection to the application for withdrawal of the charge.

Based on the development, the court subsequently struck out the instant charge.

In the charge marked FCT/HC/CR/010/26 dated and filed January 16, Ozekhome is sole defendant.

Count one alleges that Ozekhome, sometime in August 2021 or thereabout in London, within the jurisdiction of the court, directly received House 79, Randall Avenue, London NW2 7SX, purportedly given to him by one Mr Shani Tali.

The act, he knew, constitutes a felony and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 13 and punishable under Section 24 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences, Act, 2000.

In count two, Ozekhome was alleged to have, sometime in August 2021 or thereabout, while being a legal practitioner and Senior Advocate of Nigeria did make a false document with a Nigeria passport – A07535463 – bearing the name of Mr Shani Tali.

ICPC alleged that the senior lawyer did that with plan to use same to support claim of ownership of property known and described as “79, Randall Avenue, London NW2 78X with intent to commit fraud.”

The offence, according to the commission, is contrary to Section 363 and punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code CAP 532 Laws of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, 2006.

Count three accused Ozekhome of dishonestly using as genuine, a false “Nigeria passport A07535463, bearing the name of Mr Shani Tali to support claim of ownership of property known and described as ’79, Randall Avenue, London NW2 7SX,” when he had reason to believe that the said document was false.

The ICPC said the offence was contrary to Section 366 and punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code CAP 532 Laws of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, 2006.

Source: NAN

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The post Alleged property fraud: FG withdraws charge against Ozekhome appeared first on Frontpageng.

They accused the apex bank of breaching binding commitments, underpaying retirees, and conditioning entitlements on acceptance with a disputed settlement.

‎In the document signed by the group’s chairman, Mr. David Edogiawerie, and secretary, Mr. Samuel Ehigie Isokpunwu, the pensioners said the dispute bordered on promotions, pension computation and unpaid arrears, had left many in financial distress and eroded confidence in an institution charged with regulating the nation’s financial system.

‎At the heart of the petition is the issue of “notional promotions”.

The pensioners said that during the 2002 and 2004 early exit exercises, the bank undertook to advance eligible staff to the next grade, prompting many to retire in reliance on that assurance.

However, implementation was delayed until 2019, with arrears backdated only to July 2015 instead of to the respective retirement dates.

They alleged that similar commitments were fully honoured in later early-exit programmes, leaving earlier retirees at a disadvantage.

‎‎The Forum argued that the delayed promotions and limited backdating had compounded hardship for affected pensioners, many of whom, they said, had struggled to meet educational and living expenses.

They added that it defied reason that an institution that had breached a binding commitment would proclaim profits without first discharging its outstanding obligations.

‎The retirees also cited the fallout from a 2010 Supreme Court of Nigeria Judgement.

They alleged that in implementing pension adjustments in 2011, the CBN applied rates aligned with increases granted to serving counterparts in other establishments rather than to its own serving staff.

The result, they said, was an anomaly under which pensioners who retired before May 2000 and after December 2006 earned more than those who retired in the intervening period.

‎According to the Forum, the disparity persisted until July 2015 when corrections were made, but arrears covering four years of underpayment were not paid.

‎The pensioners further questioned the handling of the 2011 early-exit programme, initiated in 2009.

While gratuities were reportedly calculated on terminal emoluments, pensions were pegged to 2009 salary levels, effectively nullifying intervening promotions.

‎Tensions escalated in January 2025 when, amid pending contempt proceedings and an appeal reportedly filed by the Bank, a “Settlement Agreement” was issued.

The pensioners alleged that the agreement conditioned pension increases on beneficiaries’ admission of the Bank’s compliance, and those who declined were excluded.

‎‎‎The Forum acknowledged reforms under CBN Governor Olayemi Michael Cardoso in foreign exchange stability and banking consolidation, and commended the intervention of Attorney-General Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi.

However, they urged the Attorney-General to go the full mile and called on President Tinubu to direct the CBN to resolve what they termed longstanding pension injustices.

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The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the 2026 Mining Indaba in Cape Town, South Africa.

The MoU marks a significant milestone in the structured advancement of the Dukia–Arinola Mineral Resources Development Project, located in Ose and Owo local government areas of Ondo State, Nigeria, within the Igarra Schist Belt (NGSA Owo Sheet 265).

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mr. Tunde Fagbemi, Chairman of Dukia Gold & Precious Metals Refining Company Limited, described the MoU as a strategic step toward feasibility-driven execution and long-term mineral beneficiation.

“This MoU marks the beginning of a structured EPCM partnership to advance the Dukia–Arinola Project toward feasibility and disciplined execution,” Fagbemi said.

He noted that the appointment represented a major execution milestone in Dukia Gold’s development roadmap and reinforced the company’s commitment to partnering with world-class technical organisations to deliver a scalable mineral beneficiation and processing platform.

The Dukia–Arinola Project is being advanced as a 2,000 tonnes-per-day, TPD, polymetallic processing system, designed with phased scalability to 40,000 TPD, subject to resource definition, technical studies, permitting, and financing.

Under the proposed scope of collaboration, SGS Bateman will support Dukia Gold across key workstreams including: Process design and flowsheet development for polymetallic ore types; engineering and project execution planning, and procurement strategy and contractor oversight.

Others are construction management, commissioning support and performance benchmarking.

SGS Bateman’s capabilities span process flowsheet development, metallurgical engineering, procurement strategy, project controls, construction management, commissioning support, and operational readiness for complex mineral processing projects.

The project spans approximately 184 km², structured across SSML-053234, ML-066732, and EL-038524 licenses, and has progressed through extensive technical work including geological mapping, geochemistry, geophysics, trenching, and diamond drilling.

In line with Dukia Gold’s updated corporate governance framework, the project is being advanced through a dedicated project vehicle — Arinola Mineral Resources Development Plc — structured to enhance transparency, ring-fence project risk, and support project finance readiness.

The EPCM partnership will further support metallurgical validation, procurement strategy, project controls, phased execution planning, ESG compliance, and responsible mining implementation.

Fagbemi reaffirmed Dukia Gold’s commitment to responsible mining and ESG compliance, including alignment with Nigeria’s mining regulations, structured community partnerships, and international sustainability standards.

“Our vision is simple: Nigeria must move from exporting raw minerals to building globally competitive beneficiation and refining capacity,” he stated.

“Today’s MoU with SGS Bateman marks the start of disciplined execution for the Dukia–Arinola Project — scaling from 2,000 to 40,000 tonnes per day and delivering real beneficiation and value addition for Nigeria.”

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The announcement is contained in a statement issued by the Kamarudeen Ogundele, Senior Assistant on Communication and Publicity to the Minister of Justice.

The suspects, the ministry said would be arraigned before Justice Joyce Abdul-Malik of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

The Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi assured Nigerians that Justice would be ensured in the matter to send a strong signal to the enemies of the country, acting under any guise.

“This comes after a painstaking investigation and collaboration by government agencies.

“The administration of President Bola Tinubu is committed to the protection of lives and property of all as enshrined in the constitution,” he stressed.

Source: NAN

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The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) said this while addressing newsmen after a closed-door meeting with a U.S. congressman and the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills Jr.

Fagbemi insisted that concerted efforts were being made to tackle terrorism and all forms of violent extremism across the country.

“This meeting is an opportunity for the federal government to present its perspective on terrorism and insecurity bedeviling Nigeria and to allow the visiting US lawmaker to assess the situation firsthand.

“We have explained this to them when we entered Washington, and I am happy that they are also here to see things for themselves.

“We have security challenges, and the government is doing its utmost best to ensure that these challenges are addressed.”

He said that his ministry being responsible for prosecuting suspects arrested in connection with terrorism and extremism-related offences follows due process in handling such cases.

“The one that concerns the Federal Ministry of Justice is about the prosecution of the people arrested in connection with extremism, and we are able to explain to them how far we have come and what we are also doing.

“As we speak, terrorism trials are still ongoing, between 2017 and 2025, the government had secured 860 convictions and 891 discharges.

“These figures reflect the government’s commitment to the rule of law, we don’t just arrest people and clamp them into prison. We follow due process.

“They are profiled, those who have nothing to do with it are let off the hook while those we believe we have cases against, we take them to court and it is for the court to decide,” the AGF added.

He reiterated that the federal government abides by court decisions, whether convictions or acquittals.

“So whenever the court takes a decision, we comply with or abide by the decision, and that is why we have both convictions and acquittals,” he said.

“We are not the only agency that they are visiting, they have visited a number of agencies as well.”

He, therefore, urged the public to avoid exaggerating the security situation in the country.

“I want to tell you that things are not as heinous as people are portraying. I can assure you of that. We have problems in Nigeria. It is not a problem of religion,” he explained further.

U.S President Donald Trump, had in October, declared Nigeria as a ‘country of particular concern’ in response to allegations of a Christian genocide in the country.

Trump, in a Truth Social media post shared on the White House’s X handle, stated that “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter. I am hereby making Nigeria a ‘country of particular concern.’’

Source: NAN

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The post FG to U.S. delegation: Security challenges in Nigeria not religious appeared first on Frontpageng.