2010-04-01
JOS, Nigeria (Reuters) - Nigerian authorities charged 20 people on Thursday over their roles in sectarian clashes that killed hundreds in central Plateau state last month, and some could face the death penalty.

Authorities are under growing pressure to prosecute those behind the March 7 attacks on three villages near Jos, the capital of Plateau state, in a bid to prevent future violence.

More than 160 people have been arrested and police say more suspects will be charged in the coming weeks, but Nigeria's judicial system is known to be slow and it can take months before any are convicted.

Police said last week that of the 162 suspects arrested, they intended to charge 41 with terrorism and culpable homicide, which are punishable by death.

All 20 who were charged pleaded not guilty to five counts of arson, terrorism, killing, maiming and possession of dangerous weapons at a federal court in Jos.

Justice Stephen Adah ordered they remain in prison and adjourned the case until April 15.

Fierce competition for control of fertile farmlands between Christian and animist indigenous groups and Muslim settlers from the arid north have repeatedly sparked unrest in central Nigeria's "Middle Belt" over the past decade.

Politicians, diplomats and rights groups have called on the government to prosecute the community leaders and gangs behind the fighting if it wants to avert future conflicts.

Those arrested in past violence have been freed after a few weeks, rights groups said.