The Federal Government on Saturday released a list of 48 individuals and groups allegedly involved in financing terrorist activities across Nigeria.
The development came barely 24 hours after the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice concluded the ninth phase of the mass trial of more than 500 suspects linked to the Boko Haram insurgent group.
The four-day trial, held in Abuja, was conducted by 10 judges of the Federal High Court, resulting in 386 convictions.
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, led the government’s legal team alongside the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN. Most of the convicted persons were represented by lawyers from the National Legal Aid Council of Nigeria.
In addition to prison terms, including life sentences for some convicts, the courts also issued orders recommending rehabilitation and deradicalisation programmes.
Speaking after the proceedings, the Attorney General expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating that the sentences were meant to serve as a strong warning to those involved in terrorism and its financing.
He said the government remains committed to ensuring that terrorism has no place in Nigeria and that all those involved would be brought to justice.
Shortly after the trials, the Nigeria Sanctions Committee (NIGSAC) made public the names of individuals and organisations it alleged were complicit in sponsoring terrorism.
Among the groups listed were the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Ansaru, and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), all of which had previously been proscribed as terrorist organisations.
Also listed was Simon Ekpa, who was recently convicted on terrorism-related charges and sentenced to six years in prison.
According to court findings, Ekpa was found to have supplied weapons, explosives and ammunition to armed separatist groups operating in the South-East between August 2021 and November 2024. The court also held that he used his online platforms to incite violence.
Another prominent name on the list is Tukur Mamu, the alleged negotiator in the Abuja-Kaduna train kidnapping case.
Mamu is expected to open his defence on April 23 in a 10-count terrorism charge filed against him by the Federal Government.
Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja fixed the date after the prosecution closed its case, having presented evidence through six witnesses.
Mamu was first arraigned on March 21, 2023, over allegations of aiding terrorist operations in the country.
The prosecution alleged that the Kaduna-based Islamic scholar collected various sums of money in different currencies from families of victims of the Abuja-Kaduna train attack on behalf of Boko Haram.
According to the charges, investigations revealed that he collected a total of 420,000 dollars from some families and an additional N21 million from others.
The government further alleged that Mamu concealed funds allegedly earned from services rendered to the terrorist group at his Kaduna residence.
He was also accused of receiving a ransom payment of N500,000 on behalf of Boko Haram from families of hostages in 2022.
In addition, the prosecution told the court that Mamu exchanged voice notes with one Baba Adamu, identified as a spokesperson for Boko Haram, in relation to acts of terrorism.
The government said the alleged acts contravened the provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Mamu was arrested on September 6, 2022, at Cairo Airport in Egypt while travelling to Saudi Arabia for Lesser Hajj with his family.
He was subsequently returned to Nigeria and taken into custody by the Department of State Services (DSS), which later obtained a detention order against him.
In an affidavit filed before the court, a DSS operative, Hamza Pandogari, alleged that Mamu used journalism as a cover for his activities.
The security agency further claimed that he was intercepted while attempting to attend a secret meeting with top terrorist commanders, with assistance from Interpol.
Other names on the sanctions list include Abdulsamat Ohida, Mohammed Sani, Abdurrahaman Abdurrahaman, Fatima Ishaq, Yusuf Ghazali, Muhammad Sani, Abubakar Muhammad, Sallamudeen Hassan, Adamu Ishak, Hassana Isah, Abdulkareem Musa, Umar Abdullahi, and Abdurrahaman Ado.
Others are Bashir Yusuf, Ibrahim Alhassan, Muhammad Isah, Salihu Adamu, Surajo Mohammad, Fannami Bukar, Muhammed Musa, Sahabi Ismail, Mohammed Buba, Jama’atu Wal-Jihad, Yan Group, Yan Group NLBDG, Adamu Hassan, Hassan Mohammed, Usman Abubakar, Kubara Salawu, and Rabiu Suleiman.
The list also includes Godstime Iyare, Francis Mmadubuchi, John Onwumere, Chikwuka Eze, Edwin Chukwuedo, Chiwendu Owoh, Ginika Orji, Awo Uchechukwu, Mercy Ali, Ohagwu Juliana, Eze Okpoto, Nwaobi Chimezie, and Ogumu Kewe.
There are indications that the Federal Government may commence extradition proceedings to facilitate the return of some of the listed persons believed to be residing outside the country.
FG Publishes List of 48 Alleged Terrorism Financiers, Secures 386 Convictions in Mass Trial
