Nigerian government to prosecute up to 400 people believed to be Boko Haram's financiers

NIGERIA'S federal government has announced that it will soon begin the prosecution of 400 suspected Boko Haram financiers who have been bankrolling the terrorist sect's insurgency that has been ravaging the northeast of the country.

Since 2009, Boko Haram has been waging a war against the Nigerian state as it seeks to establish an Islamic theocracy based in Borno State. Despite the heavy security presence in northeast Nigeria, Boko Haram remains functional because it continues to get supplies and funding from backers who provide it with food, money, weapons and ammunition.

Abubakar Malami, Nigeria's attorney-general and justice minister, said the government would soon resuscitate and reinvigorate the existing special terrorism courts in the country to prosecute these backers. He added that the government was profiling some high-profile Nigerians strongly suspected to be financing terrorism for prosecution.

According to Mr Malami, investigations revealing the suspected terrorism financiers were triggered by a recent conviction of some Nigerians in the United Arab Emirates. In addition, Mr Malami also said the government was taking more measures to counter insurgency and general.

Mr Malami said: “Very soon, the federal government will, through the Federal Ministry of Justice’s Complex Case Group, resuscitate and reinvigorate the existing special terrorism prosecution courts in the country in order bring to book all those found guilty, to serve as a deterrent to others."

He urged Muslims to continue to be law-abiding, have sober reflection and exhibit the imbibed lessons learnt during the period of Ramadan fast as they celebrate Eid-el-fitr. Mr Malami also saluted the commitment of clerics in enlightening their followers on various issues during the months urging them to maintain the tempo even beyond the period of Ramadan.