KANO, Nigeria: In a significant step against terrorism financing, Nigeria has sentenced 44 Boko Haram members to prison terms ranging from 10 to 30 years with hard labor.

These convictions were part of a broader legal action involving the trial of 54 suspects in four civilian courts established at a military base in Kainji, central Niger state, according to Abu Michael, a spokesperson for Nigeria’s counterterrorism center.

The trials resumed this week after being suspended seven years ago, addressing over 1,000 individuals suspected of ties with Boko Haram, an insurgent group that has been active since 2009.

The court's verdicts included sentences ranging from 10 to 30 years, all involving hard labor requirements.

With these latest convictions, Nigeria now has a total of 785 cases related to terrorism financing and other terrorism-related offenses resolved.

Ten additional cases are scheduled for future trial dates.

Nigeria is currently listed as a 'grey list country' by international organizations due to concerns regarding its efforts against money laundering and terrorism financing.

The ongoing conflict with Boko Haram, spanning 16 years, has resulted in over 40,000 deaths and the displacement of approximately two million people, according to the United Nations.

This violence has extended into neighboring countries such as Cameroon, Chad, and Niger.

In October 2017, Nigeria commenced mass trials against the Islamist insurgents, marking a new phase in addressing the insurgency that began in 2009.

During this period, 200 Boko Haram fighters were convicted with sentences ranging from the death penalty to life imprisonment or prison terms between 20 and 70 years, depending on their offenses.

These offenses included attacks on civilians, religious site destruction, civilian killings, and the abduction of women and children.

Critics have accused the military of arbitrarily detaining thousands without legal representation or court appearances for extended periods.