The Federal Government has set aside N1.371bn in the 2026 Appropriation Bill for prosecuting Boko Haram, terrorism and related cases under the Federal Ministry of Justice. This is a sharp rise from N530m approved in 2025, about a 159% increase.
President Bola Tinubu on Friday signed the 2026 Appropriation Bill into law, approving a total national budget of N68.32tn. Of this, N5.41tn is for defence and security, about 7.9% of the total, while nearly half of the budget is targeted at infrastructure and development.
A breakdown shows the terrorism prosecution vote in 2026 is listed as “BOKO HARAM, TERRORISM AND RELATED CASES” at N1.371bn, compared to 2025’s “MANAGEMENT OF TERRORISM RELATED CASES/ISSUES” at N530m.
The 2026 figure takes about 14.1% of the Justice Ministry headquarters’ capital spending of N9.725bn, up from 7.9% in 2025 when it was N6.750bn.
Overall, the ministry headquarters budget rose from N19.861bn in 2025 (N5.611bn personnel, N7.5bn overhead, N6.75bn capital) to N23.685bn in 2026 (N3.461bn personnel, N10.5bn overhead, N9.725bn capital), an increase of about N3.825bn or 19.3%.
Key 2026 capital items also include headquarters and Lagos office repairs, international cases, liability management, and criminal justice reforms.
The Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), said: “At this solemn juncture in our national life, it is also impossible to ignore the grave challenge of insecurity that confronts our country. From insurgency and terrorism to banditry, kidnapping and violent crimes, these threats imperil not only the safety of our citizens but also the very fabric of our constitutional democracy.
“The judiciary, as the guardian of justice and the custodian of the rule of law, must lend its weight to national efforts to combat insecurity through firm, consistent and courageous adjudication. The courts can ensure that those who threaten peace and stability are held accountable, that impunity is dismantled, and that the sanctity of human life and property is protected.”
He added, “Don’t forget that this is the ninth phase. The 10th phase will come up between the 15th and the 18th of June by God’s special grace,”
Earlier reports showed five terrorism convicts got sentences including 20 years, while another suspect was remanded as 500 suspects entered mass trial.
FG also said 386 convictions were secured from 508 terrorism cases; 8 were discharged, 2 acquitted, and 112 adjourned.
Trial ran April 7–10, 2026, with the next phase set for June 15–18, 2026.
