“We’ll defend Boko Haram Suspects in court to fulfill requirements – Legal Aid Council
“We’ll defend Boko Haram Suspects in court to fulfil requirements – Legal Aid Council
As FG sets to try 5,000 Boko Haram Suspects
The Director General (DG) of Legal Aid Council, Aliyu Abubakar, has disclosed that the move to provide defence to the 5,000 Boko Haram Suspects set to be tried by the Federal Government (FG) was to fulfil righteousness of the law.
According to the DG, “It is necessary for them to be represented by this council to make sure that all the requirements of the law are fulfilled.
Abubakar who disclosed this during a courtesy visit to the governor of Borno state, Babagana Zulum stated that “All evidence must be presented against them before the court of the law so that those found guilty would be prosecuted.
“In as much as everybody is aware of the nature of the crime they have committed, under our laws, they are innocent until proven guilty,” the DG stated while explaining that the legal aid team has so far interviewed 283 suspects as part of efforts to establish their involvement in terrorism and to understand the nature of the crime they committed.
“As their defence counsel, we have to interview them from time to time to enable us know their own part of the story. It so because regardless of the crimes they committed, it is possible that out of hundreds, you may find out that one or two persons are innocent,” he said.
Abubakar lauded the leadership of Operation Lafiya Dole for providing the legal team with access to its detention facility in Giwa Barracks, in Maiduguri and Kainji Correctional facilities to meet the inmates interact with them over their alleged involvement in the activities of the Boko Haram sect.
He said the trial would be conducted by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), office of the National Security Advisers (NSA) in collaboration with the Theatre Command of Operation Lafiya Dole.
Governor Zulum said the government is ready to partner with the FG to enable it achieve its mandate.
Zulum who was represented by the Deputy Governor, commended the council for providing legal support to the people of the state while assuring them of the government’s commitment to support the council.
He also urged the federal government and other stakeholders to adopt a sustainable plan in the Operation Safe Corridor program geared towards the rehabilitation of former insurgents.
He said the lack of a proper exit sustainability plan in the program has hampered its success.
