Why We Conducted Trial Of Boko Haram Suspects In Secret – Lagos

Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ade Ipaye yesterday said that the trial of some members of the deadly Islamic sect, Boko Haram, who were recently sentenced to prison was conducted in secret because of national security.Ipaye, who made this known at a press conference in Lagos, also said the prosecution of the convicts was done in camera in order to protect information that might have implications for national security.
He said three of the four Boko Haram suspects charged before the Federal High Court, Lagos were not sentenced to death for acts of terrorism because they have not carried out the act of terrorism.According to him, seventeen suspects were initially arraigned at a Federal High Court as at March, 2013, but by November of same year, they had been reduced to four suspects.The Lagos AG also explained that 13 suspects had to be released because further investigation carried out on them revealed that there was no sufficient evidence to continue to hold them.While he pointed out that he obtained a fiat from his federal counterpart for their prosecution, said he had to file a “nolle prosecui” in their favour based upon which they were released.