A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has declared bandit groups as terrorists.
In a ruling delivered by Justice Taiwo Taiwo on Friday, the court specifically held that activities of Yan Bindiga and Yan Ta’adda bandit groups, constitute acts of terrorism.
The ruling followed an ex parte motion the Federal Government filed through the Federal Ministry of Justice.
The Federal Government had in an affidavit it filed in support of the motion, told the court that intelligence reports affirmed that the bandit groups masterminded several killings, abductions, rapes, and related acts of criminality in the north-east, north-central, and other parts of the country.
Director of Public Prosecution, Mohammed Abubakar, told the court that perturbed by the actions of the bandits, President Muhammadu Buhari, gave approval for their proscription as a terrorist group.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami on Friday said the Federal Government will follow international standards in fighting banditry, terrorism, and other criminal activities in the country.
This comes as Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Federal High Court Abuja had earlier proscribed bandit groups as terrorists, specifically noting that the activities of Yan Bindiga and Yan Ta’adda bandit groups, constitute acts of terrorism.
Malami in a statement by his media aide, by Umar Jibrilu Gwandu, reiterated the Federal Government’s determination to crush banditry.
He said the government’s commitment has remained unwavering following the recent court ruling that designated bandits’ groups as terrorists’ organizations.
According to him, the declaration is a demonstration of the determination of the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and indeed the Federal Government in doing things in accordance with the rule of law.
Chidozie Chima | September 20, 2024
