BEVERLY HILLS, September 29, (THEWILL) – Trials of Boko Haram suspects in Nigeria will take place behind closed doors with no media present, a justice ministry official with knowledge of the matter told AFP on Friday.

The move was made on security grounds following discussions between the government and the Department of State Services intelligence agency.

“There will be no access to the media,” said the official, who pleaded anonymity.

“The decision was based on the need for confidentiality because of security issues that may come up during the trial.”

The justice ministry announced last week that the trials of more than 1,600 suspects were scheduled to begin from October 9.

It blamed delays in prosecution on poor investigation techniques such as lack of forensic evidence, “over-reliance on confession-based evidence” and logistical problems.

As of September 11, only 13 cases linked to the eight-year insurgency had been concluded, with nine convictions, according to the government.

Human rights groups have criticised Nigeria’s military for the arbitrary arrest of civilians and detention of suspects for lengthy periods of time without access to legal counsel.

The announcement that due process was finally to begin was given a cautious welcome but a ban on media access will likely raise concerns about transparency.

The ministry source said the British High Commission and US Embassy in Abuja, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, and the International Red Cross would be given “observer status”.

“They will be able to monitor how proceedings are carried out and obviously the suspects will be given legal representation,” he added.

The trials will take place in military detention facilities in Kainji, Kogi state, and New Bussa, in Niger state, both in central Nigeria.

Hearings will also be held in the Borno state capital, Maiduguri, where Boko Haram was founded in 2002 and which has been at the epicentre of the long-running violence.

http://thewillnigeria.com/news/boko-haram-trials-to-be-held-behind-closed-doors/

They are afraid that the terrorists will reveal their sponsors, who are most likely high ranking government officials.

If i say anything nw dey wi say its hate speech

No. Not ok.

And we need their sponsors.

The original pampered cows...

thesicilian:
They are afraid that the terrorists will reveal their sponsors, who are most likely high ranking government officials.

Use your brain while commenting, if any such revelations will take place it would have taken place during interrogation and detention, not trial

The need for private trial is important for witnesses, lawyers and judges , security issues will definitely arise

Why in secret Do they do their activities in secret? Nigerian government is not serious about unravelling the mystery surrounding this self-inflicted carnage.

it saddens me to see how far buhari will go to protect his children