Federal High Court Abuja has sentenced several defendants linked to the Boko Haram terrorist group in separate terrorism-related cases, handing down prison terms ranging from 10 to 20 years.
The convictions are part of an ongoing mass trial initiated by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, on behalf of the Federal Government.
Nigeria has continued to grapple with terrorism, particularly from Boko Haram and its splinter groups.
In response, the government established special court arrangements within the Federal High Court system to expedite the trial of terrorism suspects.
In one of the cases, Justice Binta Nyako sentenced Hamatu Modu, who was found guilty of supplying food items and information to terrorists, to a total of 40 years imprisonment on a four-count charge.
The court, however, ordered that the sentences run concurrently, meaning he will serve 10 years.
Similarly, Isa Ali, who was arraigned on a two-count charge for providing clothes and logistics to terrorists, was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment after pleading guilty to one count. The prosecution withdrew the other charge, which the court struck out.
Justice Nyako ordered that Ali’s sentence take effect from the date of his arrest and granted a request by defence counsel for his rehabilitation and deradicalisation, noting that he had already spent three years in custody.
In another ruling, the court sentenced Abdulahi Ali to 20 years imprisonment for providing logistical support to the ISWAP group through the supply of fuel. The defendant had pleaded guilty and appealed for leniency.
Also convicted was Auwal Bello, who received 10 years imprisonment on each of two counts, to run concurrently, for facilitating terrorism financing.
Bello was found to have handled about N750,000, during the naira redesign period for Boko Haram and paid N20,000 as tax to the group.
In a separate case, Shehu Bukar, who faced a five-count charge including alleged membership of Boko Haram, participation in terrorist activities, and withholding information, was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment.
Although Bukar pleaded not guilty to most of the charges, he admitted to providing support through cattle rustling and selling livestock to the group. The court found him guilty based on the evidence presented.
Justice Nyako described the offence as “gruesome”, despite the defendant being a first-time offender. The court also ordered his rehabilitation and deradicalisation.
Meanwhile, about ten courtrooms at the Federal High Court in Abuja are currently handling terrorism-related cases simultaneously, with over 100 cases expected to be determined in the ongoing mass trial.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
