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From Godwin Tsa, Abuja
The Federal High Court has sentenced and convicted various Boko Haram logistics suppliers on different charges, in continuation of the mass trial of suspected terrorists by the Federal Government under the Terrorism (Prohibition and Prevention) Act.
They were arraigned and prosecuted on various count charges ranging from rendering material and logistics support to members of the proscribed Boko Haram organisation by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, with his legal team, including the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN.
Meanwhile, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Fagbemi, commended the judges for what he described as their selfless sacrifices to the nation.
Fagbemi, who took a tour of the various courts handling the terrorism cases yesterday, commended the justices and their support staff for sacrificing their time in the service of the nation, especially at a time when they should be resting with their families.
He assured that their sacrifice would not be in vain.
During his trial, one of the defendants, Yusuf Tuggar Abacha, was convicted to 20 years’ imprisonment by Justice M. Olajuwon after he pleaded guilty to professing membership of Boko Haram, withholding information about a member of the group, and participating in attacks.
The court struck out a count relating to an agreement to receive AK-47 handling training before proceeding to conviction.
“I hereby sentence him to 20 years’ imprisonment on each count, to run concurrently, and he is to be rehabilitated and de-radicalised after serving his term,” Justice Olajuwon ruled.
In another trial, Justice Olajuwon remanded Babagana Umar in the custody of the Department of State Services after he denied a three-count charge bordering on alleged support for Boko Haram.
Umar was accused of “knowingly rendering support by supplying spare parts to Boko Haram” as well as supplying firewood to the terrorist group in Sambisa Forest in 2022, contrary to Section 13 of the Terrorism (Prohibition and Prevention) Act, 2022.
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Meanwhile, Justice Musa Suleiman Liman sentenced and convicted a widow with eight children, Amina Audu, who claimed to be a provisions seller in Borno State, to one year’s imprisonment beginning from April 8, 2024, when she was arrested, for supplying food and provisions to Boko Haram members.
Justice Liman, however, ordered her immediate release from custody, having already served her term.
In her extrajudicial statement, she stated that her husband was killed four years ago by Boko Haram members and that some members of the group used to buy from her shop, sometimes with their guns.
The court struck out counts 1 and 2 and discharged her accordingly. She was, however, sentenced and convicted to one year’s imprisonment beginning from the date of her arrest on April 8, 2024.
Flowing from the above, the court ordered her immediate release, having already served her term.
In FHC/KMJ/CR/583/2026, a defendant who pleaded guilty to membership of Boko Haram, provision of material support, and handling of funds linked to the group was sentenced to 10 years on each of four counts, to run concurrently.
“I hereby sentence the convict to a term of 10 years’ imprisonment for each count charged from the date of his arrest to run concurrently… He is to undergo rehabilitation and de-radicalisation,” Justice Nyako said.
Those put on trial were Hamat Modu, Isah Ali, Auwal Bello, Shehu Bukar, Alhaji Kulle, Mohammed Abacha Hassan, Aminami Mallum, Tasiu Yakubu, and Abdullahi Ali. The defendants have spent varying numbers of years in detention.
They were handed various jail terms ranging from 10 to 20 years.
Several judges, including Binta Nyako, Emeka Nwite, Musa Liman, and Akpan Ekerete, are conducting the trials.
