How Poor Investigations and Weak Evidence Led to the Acquittal of 888 Terror Suspects in Nigeria

How Poor Investigations and Weak Evidence Led to the Acquittal of 888 Terror Suspects in Nigeria

In December 2024, the Federal Government announced that between 2017 and 2024, it had completed 1,743 terrorism-related trials. Shockingly, while 742 convictions were secured, 888 suspects walked free due to insufficient evidence.

A deeper look into the trials reveals major flaws in Nigeria’s legal system, from poor investigations to lack of witness protection and limited forensic technology.

A Justice System Struggling with Terrorism Cases

The data, provided by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mohammed Babadoko, paints a worrying picture. In 2017, 50 suspects were convicted, while 203 were acquitted. By 2018, 684 were acquitted against 316 convictions.

Analysis shows that only 42.6% of terror-related cases ended in convictions, meaning over half of the suspects were freed. The main reason? Weak cases built on poor investigations and confessions obtained under duress.

Key Reasons Behind the High Acquittal Rate

1. Poor Investigation and Evidence Collection

Many cases rely on confessions extracted through force rather than solid forensic evidence. Security agencies often lack the expertise, resources, and training to conduct thorough investigations, leading to weak prosecutions.

2. Witness Intimidation and Lack of Protection

Many key witnesses refuse to testify due to threats and intimidation, making it harder to secure convictions. Nigeria’s limited witness protection program discourages individuals from coming forward.

3. Lack of Coordination Among Security Agencies

A breakdown in communication between security agencies often results in incomplete or improperly documented cases. In some instances, suspects were discharged because crucial evidence was lost or mishandled.

4. Limited Forensic and Technological Capabilities

Unlike advanced criminal investigations in other countries, Nigeria’s justice system lacks modern forensic tools. Without forensic evidence, prosecutors struggle to build strong cases, especially when crimes were committed years prior.

5. International Challenges in Terrorism Prosecution

Terrorist networks like Boko Haram and ISWAP operate across borders, making it difficult to prosecute cases without international cooperation. Bureaucratic hurdles further complicate these trials.

Human Rights Watch Report on Terrorism Trials

A report by Human Rights Watch (HRW) highlighted major flaws in Nigeria’s terrorism trials. Many suspects were charged based on vague allegations without specific details on the crime. In some cases, trials lasted less than 15 minutes, raising concerns about due process.

The report also noted a lack of proper interpreters, reliance on forced confessions, and recharging previously acquitted defendants for the same offenses. These issues weaken the credibility of Nigeria’s justice system.

Legal Experts Weigh In

Senior lawyers and human rights activists have expressed concerns about the inefficiencies in Nigeria’s terrorism trials.

Femi Falana, SAN: Stated that the government lacks concrete evidence against most suspects, leading to their discharge. He urged authorities to improve investigations before making arrests.

Joseph Otteh, Executive Director, Access to Justice: Warned that the conviction rates might not be the real issue but rather the questionable pace of trials and lack of transparency.

Evans Ufeli, Cadrell Advocacy Centre: Believes Nigeria’s outdated legal framework creates loopholes for suspects, making successful prosecutions difficult.

The Way Forward

For Nigeria to effectively combat terrorism, these critical issues must be addressed:

Stronger forensic and technological capabilities to gather solid evidence.

Better witness protection programs to encourage testimonies.

Improved inter-agency coordination to ensure smooth case handling.

Comprehensive legal reforms to close loopholes that suspects exploit.

Final Thoughts

The fight against terrorism goes beyond arrests—it requires a justice system that can successfully prosecute criminals. Without major reforms, more suspects will continue walking free due to weak cases, making Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts ineffective.

What do you think Nigeria should do to improve its terrorism trials? Share your thoughts in the comments.