The Federal Government has spent about N1.4bn for the rehabilitation of repentant terrorists and the establishment of centres for terrorism trials in the last one year and six months.

Recall that the Federal Government established the National Counter-Terrorism Centre following former President Muhammadu Buhari’s assent to the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Bill on May 12, 2022.

In December 2022, the government announced its decision to establish two disarmament, deradicalisation, rehabilitation, and reintegration centres for repentant members of Boko Haram and other terrorist groups in the country.

The Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre, Rear Admiral Yem Musa (retd.), disclosed to the House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence that the government would spend N2.4bn on the centres as part of the NCTC’s N3.8bn capital projects for 2023.

However, checks by one of Sunday Punch correspondents using GovSpend, a civic tech platform that tracks and analyses the Federal Government’s spending, revealed that between December 2022 and May 2024, the Ministry of Justice spent a total of N1.4bn on constructing rehabilitation centres for repentant terrorists and renovating an abandoned building for terrorism case trials.

On March 27, 2023, the Federal Ministry of Justice disbursed N612m to three firms for the renovation and furnishing of abandoned structures for terrorism case trials and the construction of dormitories for the rehabilitation of repentant terrorists under Operation Safe Corridor.

The first payment of N286.7m was transferred to a firm, El-haby Concept Limited, for the renovation and furnishing of abandoned building for terrorism case trials at Giwa Barracks, as approved by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on March 21, 2023.

The second payment of N21.5m was made to Interprise Limited as consultancy fees for designing and supervising the building of facilities for repentant terrorists at the OSC. The remaining N303.7m was released to Fosab Global Energy Service Limited as an additional 40% payment for constructing the rehabilitation centre.

In 2024, the ministry paid three firms a total of N179m for similar projects. The first payment of N11.5m was wired to Jayjaysen Integrated Links Ltd on March 22, 2024, for the supply of desktop computers and LaserJet printers/toners to facilitate terrorism case prosecutions, as approved by the SGF on December 1, 2023.

Another N16.4m was transferred to Estergel Ltd on April 8, 2024, for procuring computers and accessories for the same purpose, as approved by the SGF on December 18, 2023. Finally, N151.8m was paid to Fosab Global Energy Service Ltd on May 3, 2024, as part of payment for constructing the rehabilitation centre.

Secret trials of terrorists
Meanwhile, on December 15, the NCTC disclosed in a statement that it had secured the conviction of no fewer than 325 terrorists in its Phase 5 and Phase 6 trials at the Kainji Detention Facility.

The centre noted that the terrorists received various sentences ranging from the death penalty to life imprisonment and terms of 20 to 70 years, depending on the severity of the crimes committed by the suspects.

In the Phase 5 trial, conducted in July 2024, about 143 cases were heard, leading to 125 convictions. In Phase 6, 237 cases were heard, with 200 convictions secured at the same venue. However, the government has since remained silent on when the Phase 7 trials will commence.

When Sunday PUNCH reached out to the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to ascertain why the trials were conducted secretly, our correspondent received no response.

Some security experts and civil society organisations expressed divergent opinions on the secretive nature of the terrorism trials.

A security expert, Lekan Jackson-Ojo, said secret trials lacked authenticity.

“When politicians, armed robbers, or the so-called Yahoo boys commit offences, the press is allowed to report on it, and the entire world knows about it. But why are we trying these enemies of humanity, enemies of God—the Satanists—in secrecy?

“For over 20 years, members of the Boko Haram terrorist group have been in Nigeria, killing thousands of people and rendering millions homeless. How many of these people have been sentenced to life imprisonment?” he queried.

Chidi Omeje, another security expert, also condemned the secret trials, saying, “Why would they conduct secret trials? Does it mean the military, for example, is trying to protect these terrorists who are also killing their personnel?”

“The terrorists have killed a lot of military officers. So, why would the military participate in any action to shield their prosecution? I think it has to do with procedural issues because they are dealing with so many arrested terrorists,” he added.

However, another security expert, Kabir Adamu, argued that the government’s decision to conduct secret trials was justified for security reasons.

He said, “It is very commendable that this administration has prioritised the trial of suspects, especially those facing terrorism-related charges and who have been in detention for a very long time, some for more than a decade. However, these trials must be conducted according to standard procedures to ensure transparency and compliance with the rule of law.”

Punch

…provides another transformer for Emir’s Palace and environs

Finally, after 15years of blackout, Senator Manu Haruna of Taraba Central Senatorial District has officially commissioned the Gunduma Ward Electricity Power Project.

Senator Manu during the electioneering period had promised to link Gunduma to the national grid.

It’s indeed a promise well fulfilled as his constituents Jubilate.

This marks a historic moment for the community, which has been without electricity for the past 15 years. This transformative initiative underscores Senator Manu’s commitment to addressing critical infrastructure challenges and improving the lives of his constituents.

During the commissioning ceremony, former Federal Lawmaker of Taraba Central, Senator Dahiru Bako, commended Senator Manu for his dedication and vision in delivering this essential project.

Hon. Musa Chul Member House of Assembly Gassol II,Constituency TRHA described the achievement as a monumental milestone, emphasizing its potential to significantly enhance economic activities and improve the standard of living for the residents of Gunduma Ward.

The Gunduma Ward Electricity Power Project represents a significant step towards infrastructural development in Taraba Central and reflects Senator Manu’s proactive approach to governance and service delivery.

Manu also presented a new Transformer with specifications of 300KVA Valtage CL: 35KV and standard TS:EN60076-1 to the His Royal Highness Alhaji Justice Sani Sulaiman Duna the Emir of Mutum-Biyu for the Mutum-Biyu Environs.

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The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, says claims by the military leader of Niger Republic, Abdourahamane Tchiani that Nigeria is colluding with France to destabilise his county are despicable propaganda.

He declared that the claims were aimed at inciting Northern Nigeria against President Bola Tinubu.

Bwala said the military leader deliberately chose a local language in the North.

The media recalls that Abdourahamane Tchiani, military leader of Niger Republic, made the claims in an interview on Wednesday.

Tchiani, who spoke in Hausa, alleged that France is negotiating with terrorists in Nigeria to destabilise his country.

According to him, France made a substantial payment to President Bola Tinubu to establish a military base in Nigeria.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, shortly afterwards, dismissed the allegations and described them as baseless.

Reacting to the allegations in a video posted on his X page on Friday, Bwala said the claims are baseless propaganda, designed to create chaos and incite bad blood in northern Nigeria against Tinubu.

“Yesterday I came across a video, a despicable propaganda piece by the military head of state of the Niger Republic against the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and this is what you often see with military interregnum,” he said.

“The honeymoon is over; he has not been able to address economic situations in his country; everything is turning against him, and in the desperate gasp for breath, he decided to resort to cheap false lies and propaganda against Nigeria.

“The choice of words used by the military leader is quite insultive for what his intentions are; probably in cohoot with politicians in Nigerians; you never know.

“But the whole idea is to create chaos and bad blood in Northern Nigeria against the President,” he added.

Bwala explained Nigeria’s longstanding leadership role in West Africa and its commitment to fostering bilateral relations with neighbouring countries.