Thread by @toluogunlesi

The concerns that Nigerians generally have about a deradicalisation and reintegration Programme (for persons who renounce terrorism or suspects found innocent after trial) are all GENUINE concerns. But we must also not fall for ignorance and misinformation. And partisan mischief.

So as I said the concerns and queries are all legitimate. But the other side of the story is the question: what does a country do with the people who have surrendered or been found guilty? That’s also a legitimate question. Not just in Nigeria but all over the world.

Let me at this point share this. From Feb 2018; Two years ago this month.

A Federal High Court sitting in Wawa Cantonment, Niger State had just concluded the 2nd phase of prosecution of Boko Haram suspects.

Federal Ministry of Justice issued this statement.

Read it in full:

Local and International Media reported the news of the Boko Haram Trials and convictions at the time (Feb 2018): google.com/amp/s/mobile.r…

Here are some key highlights from that MOJ statement:

(Keep in mind that this is a Federal High Court Trial, monitored by the Nigerian Bar Association, Legal Aid Council, National Human Rights Commission, etc; and not arbitrary administrative decisions):

“Among the reasons for setting the 526 suspects free are want of evidence, under aged (minor) and persons suffering from mental illness. The suspects were arrested at different states and detained in Wawa Cantonment on suspicion they belong to the Boko Haram terrorist group.”

“They were discharged by the court based on motion exparte filed by the Federal Government prosecuting counsels for want of sufficient evidence pursuance of section 35(4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).”

And then the interesting case of one guy, Modu Maina, who was actually arrested in Lagos — and was (according to the statement) “the only suspect discharged and acquitted by the Federal High Court Judge” (in this phase of the Trials).

So, this takes us back to the question from earlier in the thread - what to do with all of these persons tried and discharged / found not guilty by the Court?

As I said it’s not only a Nigerian problem, conflict and post-conflict places around the world face the same dilemmas.

And as other people have pointed out, this particular dilemma did not start with the Buhari Govt.

The @GEJonathan admin actually also faced the issue and actually commenced the Rehabilitation program:

FG To Rehabilitate Disarmed Insurgents
(Sept 2014) tell.ng/fg-rehabilitat…

This is a touchy issue no doubt, so I encourage you to read the ENTIRE thread in context & don’t jump in foolishly

Also the real issue here - don’t forget - is what to do with persons tried & discharged/found not guilty

Convicts must definitely be made to face full wrath of law

The 205 convicts from the Trial Phase earlier on in this thread were all sentenced to between 3 & 60 years in prison. One guy who showed no remorse for being a BH member was sentenced by the Judge to 50 years.

I believe trials are under Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act, 2013