Federal Government is set to commence the arraignment of 5,000 suspected members of Boko Haram terrorist group held in various detention facilities across the country, it has emerged.
Director-general of Legal Aid Council, Aliyu Abubakar said this while being hosted by Governor Babagana Zulum in Maiduguri, Borno state on Wednesday.
Thanking the management of operation Lafia Doyle for granting them access to detention facilities in Maiduguri and others, Abubakar said they have so far interviewed about 283 inmates to ascertain the nature of the crimes they committed.
He revealed that the trial would be conducted by the office of attorney-general of the federation (AGF), office of the national security adviser (NSA) in collaboration with theatre command of operation Lafiya Dole.
Abubakar stressed;
As their defence council, we have to interview them from time to time to enable us to know their own part of the story.
It so because regardless of the generous crimes they committed it is possible that out of hundreds, you may found out that one or two persons were innocent of the charges that they are being detained.
He noted;
It was necessary for them to be represented by council to make sure that the official fulfills all the requirement of the provisions of the law. All evidence must be presented against them before the court of the law so that those that were found guilty are prosecuted and face the consequences of their action.
Abubakar said regardless of the nature of the crimes they committed, “under our laws, they are innocent until proven guilty”.
