FG Boosts Boko Haram Prosecution Funding to N1.371bn

ABUJA, Nigeria – The Federal Government has allocated N1.371 billion in the 2026 Appropriation Act for the prosecution of Boko Haram, terrorism and related cases.

This figure, drawn from the Federal Ministry of Justice headquarters capital vote, is more than double the N530 million approved for similar cases in the 2025 budget.

President Bola Tinubu signed the N68.32 trillion budget into law on Friday, setting aside N5.41 trillion for defence and security, roughly 7.9 per cent of the total spend.

NaijaChoice News analysis of the budget details shows the terrorism prosecution line item now takes 14.1 per cent of the ministry’s N9.725 billion capital expenditure.

The ministry’s overall headquarters budget has also grown to N23.685 billion, an increase of about 19.3 per cent from N19.861 billion last year.

Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has consistently pushed for quicker handling of such cases.

In December, he told the Court of Appeal that the judiciary must help dismantle impunity linked to insurgency, banditry and kidnapping to protect Nigeria’s democracy.

Recent mass trials at the Federal High Court in Abuja produced 386 convictions out of 508 terrorism-related matters, with five suspects receiving jail terms of up to 20 years.

Retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police Wilson Inalegwu welcomed the higher allocation but called for tighter monitoring so the money strengthens both prosecutions and prison security.

Security analyst Chidi Omeje added that speedy trials and transparent spending remain critical if the justice system is to reduce the risks of prolonged detention and possible jailbreaks.