Speedy Trial of Terrorists: AGF Fagbemi’s Urgent Call to Nigeria’s Judiciary

By: Abudu Olalekan

Abuja, Monday morning. The air hums with anticipation. Judges in robes. Officials in suits. All gathered for the Court of Appeal’s 2025/2026 Legal Year kickoff. Then, Lateef Fagbemi, Nigeria’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice, steps up. His message? Clear. Urgent.

“We’re in trouble,” he says, voice firm. No sugarcoating.

Nigeria’s battling terrorism, kidnapping, banditry—violence that’s tearing the country apart. And Fagbemi? He’s pointing a finger. Not at soldiers. Not at police. At the courts.

“The judiciary must move faster,” he declares. “We need swift trials for terrorists. Now.”

A Judiciary on Trial?
Fagbemi didn’t hold back. Standing in Abuja’s packed hall, he laid it out: insecurity isn’t just bullets and bombs. It’s impunity. Terrorists striking, then vanishing into delays. Years-long court cases. Suspects laughing in courtrooms.

“Think about it,” he says. “Every day a terrorist case drags on, fear grows. Criminals think they can get away with murder. Literally.”

He’s not wrong. Nigeria’s courts are drowning. Backlogs. Limited judges. Overloaded dockets. Terror suspects sit in cells for years before facing justice—if they face it at all.

Fagbemi’s solution? Speed.

“Swift hearings aren’t just nice-to-have,” he insists. “They’re essential. They show terrorists: ‘You mess with Nigeria, you face consequences. Fast.’”

He calls it “complementing military action.” You bomb a camp? Good. But lock the leaders up quickly? Better.

“Kinetic operations catch them,” Fagbemi says. “Courts keep them caught.”

“We Need More Judges. Yesterday.”
Fagbemi admits a harsh truth: judges are overwhelmed.

“You can’t expect a handful of judges to handle thousands of terrorism cases, plus kidnapping, plus human trafficking,” he says. “It’s unrealistic.”

So, the Tinubu administration’s move? Appoint more Federal High Court judges. Fast.

“We’re pushing for immediate appointments,” Fagbemi reveals. “More judges = faster trials. It’s that simple.”

He also hints at non-kinetic strategies. “It’s not just about raids,” he says. “It’s about cutting off terror financing. Smashing kidnap networks. And prosecuting them without delay.”

His bottom line? “No more excuses. No more slow wheels. Justice delayed is justice denied—and terrorists thrive on delay.”

Judges Need Homes Too: Wike’s Promise
While Fagbemi fired up the judiciary, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike dropped a practical bombshell: judges are getting better homes.

“How can a judge focus on a complex terror trial if they’re worried about leaking roofs or broken AC?” Wike asks. “You can’t.”

He announced new housing projects for FCT High Court judges. “Budget’s approved,” he says. “We’re building comfortable, secure residences. No distractions.”

Why? Wike’s logic is stark:
“Happy judges = efficient judges. Efficient judges = faster trials.”

He didn’t stop there. The FCTA’s also:

Handed over the Supreme Court’s Certificate of Occupancy (long overdue, he admits).
Started fencing the Supreme Court complex to stop land grabbers and threats.
Launched new court buildings—Magistrate Courts in Jabi, staff quarters for Law School, even homes for Industrial Court judges.
“President Tinubu’s directive is clear,” Wike says. “Strengthen the judiciary. Give them what they need. No more ‘we’ll do it later.’”

Beyond the Gavel: Rebuilding Trust
Wike’s tone shifts. Serious. Passionate.

“Justice can’t be compromised,” he states. “Not ever. It’s the backbone of democracy. If people lose faith in courts, everything crumbles.”

He calls the Supreme Court fencing a “confidence builder.” “For years, the apex court felt exposed. Now? They’ll feel protected. That trust trickles down—to every judge, every case.”

Fagbemi echoes this. He urges all Nigerians to join the fight:

“This isn’t government’s job alone,” he says. “Citizens must stand with us. Report suspects. Reject extremism. Unite. No distractions. Just action.”

The Road Ahead: Will It Work?
Let’s be real. Speeding up terror trials won’t be easy.

Judge shortages? Still a problem.
Security for witnesses? Often weak.
Political interference? Always a risk.
But Fagbemi’s push is a start. “We’re moving in the right direction,” he insists.

Wike’s housing project? Practical. Necessary.

And the message to terrorists? Loud and clear:

“You thought Nigeria’s courts are slow? Think again. The days of endless delays—are over.”