475 people allegedly affiliated with Boko Haram have been released for rehabilitation by a Nigerian court, the ministry of justice said on Sunday.
The
first person convicted for the kidnapping in 2014 of Chibok
schoolgirls, sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment last week, was also
handed an addition 15-year sentence, to run back-to-back, the justice
ministry said in a statement.
first person convicted for the kidnapping in 2014 of Chibok
schoolgirls, sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment last week, was also
handed an addition 15-year sentence, to run back-to-back, the justice
ministry said in a statement.
More
than 20,000 people have been killed and two million forced to flee
their homes in northeastern Nigeria since Boko Haram began an insurgency
in 2009 aimed at creating an Islamic state.
than 20,000 people have been killed and two million forced to flee
their homes in northeastern Nigeria since Boko Haram began an insurgency
in 2009 aimed at creating an Islamic state.
But
humanitarian groups have criticised the Nigerian authorities’ handling
of those detained for infringing on the suspects’ rights.
humanitarian groups have criticised the Nigerian authorities’ handling
of those detained for infringing on the suspects’ rights.
Some
of those whose cases were heard last week in a detention centre in
central Nigeria had been held without trial since 2010, according to the
justice ministry statement.
of those whose cases were heard last week in a detention centre in
central Nigeria had been held without trial since 2010, according to the
justice ministry statement.
“The prosecution counsel
could not charge them (with) any offence due to lack of sufficient
evidence against them,” the ministry said.
could not charge them (with) any offence due to lack of sufficient
evidence against them,” the ministry said.
In October,
the ministry said 45 people suspected of Boko Haram links had been
convicted and jailed. A further 468 suspects were discharged and 28
suspects were remanded for trial in Abuja or Minna.
the ministry said 45 people suspected of Boko Haram links had been
convicted and jailed. A further 468 suspects were discharged and 28
suspects were remanded for trial in Abuja or Minna.
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