BLESSING OMALE, Abuja
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has sentenced five persons convicted on terrorism-related offences to various jail terms, including a maximum of 20 years’ imprisonment, as the Federal Government commenced a fresh phase in the ongoing mass trial of terrorism suspects.
The convictions were handed down on Tuesday by Justices M. O. Olajuwon and Binta Nyako, while another defendant who pleaded not guilty was remanded in custody.
Justice Olajuwon ordered the remand of 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 is accused of knowingly supplying spare parts and firewood to the insurgent group in Sambisa Forest in 2022, offences said to contravene provisions of the Terrorism (Prohibition and Prevention) Act, 2022.
He was also alleged to have withheld critical information about the group’s activities that could have aided law enforcement. The court adjourned his trial to a later date.
In a separate case, Justice Olajuwon convicted Yusuf Tuggar Abacha, sentencing him to 20 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to professing membership of Boko Haram, withholding information about the group, and participating in attacks.
The court struck out one count relating to an agreement to receive AK-47 training before delivering judgment.
The judge ruled that the sentences would run concurrently and directed that the convict undergo rehabilitation and de-radicalisation after serving his term.
In related proceedings before Justice Nyako, four other defendants were convicted in separate cases.
One defendant, charged with membership of Boko Haram, provision of material support, and handling funds linked to the group, was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment on each of four counts, to run concurrently.
Similarly, Isa Ali received a 10-year sentence for providing logistical support to the group, after a membership charge was struck out due to his not-guilty plea.
Auwal Bello was also sentenced to 10 years for facilitating terrorism financing, including the exchange of about N750,000 and payments to the insurgents.
In a more severe ruling, Shehu Bukar was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment for supplying cattle and goats to Boko Haram. Justice Nyako described the offence as “gruesome” and declined pleas for leniency.
All the convicts were ordered to undergo rehabilitation and de-radicalisation programmes, with the Ministry of Interior to designate the correctional facilities where they will serve their sentences.
The convictions came as the Federal Government launched the ninth phase of its mass trial of terrorism suspects, with 10 judges sitting simultaneously during the court’s Easter vacation to accelerate proceedings.
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), disclosed that although 500 suspects are slated for trial in this phase, 227 were arraigned on the first day.
He commended the judges for sitting during the holiday period, describing their action as patriotic and necessary to ensure swift dispensation of justice.
Fagbemi explained that the trials were relocated to Abuja for logistical ease, rather than transporting judges to detention centres in Kainji or Maiduguri, noting that the availability of multiple courtrooms in the capital allows for simultaneous hearings.
He stressed that the proceedings are being conducted transparently, with observers from organisations such as Amnesty International, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, and the Nigerian Bar Association in attendance.
Security was visibly heightened around the court परिसर, with suspects transported under heavy guard by operatives of the DSS, alongside personnel of the Nigeria Police and the Nigerian Army.
Speaking on the defence process, the Director-General of the Legal Aid Council, Aliu Abubakar, noted that many suspects admitted to the charges, making prosecution relatively straightforward.
According to him, several convictions stem from association with Boko Haram, which the law treats as a grave offence, even where direct participation in attacks is not established.
He added, however, that some suspects were discharged and acquitted, underscoring the fairness and transparency of the process, particularly for detainees who had spent years in custody.
Abubakar further confirmed that pre-trial interviews were conducted in Maiduguri and Kainji in line with legal requirements to ensure due process.
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