Abuja Court Convicts Multiple Boko Haram Supporters, Hands Down 10 To 20 Years Prison Terms
Abuja Court Convicts Multiple Boko Haram Supporters, Hands Down 10 To 20 Years Prison Terms
The judgments, delivered by Justice Binta Nyako, stem from separate cases prosecuted by the Federal Government, with the court imposing sentences ranging from 10 to 20 years’ imprisonment alongside orders for rehabilitation and de-radicalisation.
Multiple individuals have been convicted and handed varying prison terms by the Federal High Court in Abuja over offences linked to terrorism, following proceedings that highlighted their roles in supporting the Boko Haram insurgent group.
The judgments, delivered by Justice Binta Nyako, stem from separate cases prosecuted by the Federal Government, with the court imposing sentences ranging from 10 to 20 years’ imprisonment alongside orders for rehabilitation and de-radicalisation.
In the first case, Hamatu Modu was arraigned on a four-count charge bordering on membership of Boko Haram, provision of material support, and dealing in funds linked to the proscribed organisation. The prosecution team, led by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), told the court that the charges were brought under provisions of the Terrorism (Prohibition and Prevention) Act, 2022.
The defence counsel, Aliu Abubakar, did not oppose the arraignment, and the defendant pleaded guilty to all counts.
Count one alleged that the defendant belonged to Boko Haram, contrary to Section 25 of the Act. Count two accused him of providing food and other items to the group, while count three involved receiving and handling funds amounting to N20,000
Following the guilty plea, the prosecution tendered the defendant’s extrajudicial statement and investigation report, both of which were admitted as exhibits without objection.
Justice Nyako subsequently convicted Modu and sentenced him to 10 years’ imprisonment on each count, to run concurrently. The court ordered that the sentence be served at a facility designated by the Ministry of Interior and directed that the convict undergo rehabilitation and de-radicalization.
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In a related case, Isa Ali was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment after admitting to providing support to Boko Haram.
Ali had been arraigned on a two-count charge, which included professing membership of the terrorist group and rendering support through the provision of clothes and logistics. He pleaded not guilty to the first count but admitted guilt on the second.
Upon his plea, the prosecution applied to strike out the first count, a request the court granted. The defendant’s statement and investigation report were then tendered and admitted in evidence, forming the basis for his conviction on the second count.
During sentencing, the defence urged the court to take into account that the convict had already spent three years in custody and described the offence as one of association. Justice Nyako thereafter sentenced him to 10 years’ imprisonment from the date of arrest and ordered that he undergo rehabilitation and de-radicalisation.
In another proceeding, the court convicted Auwal Bello for facilitating terrorism financing and sentenced him to 10 years’ imprisonment on each of two counts, to run concurrently.
Bello was accused of facilitating the exchange of about N750,000 during the naira swap policy for Boko Haram and paying N20,000 as tax to the group. He pleaded guilty to both counts.
The prosecution tendered his extrajudicial statement and investigation report, which were admitted in evidence. Although the defence pleaded for leniency, describing him as a family man with children, the court proceeded to convict and sentence him, while also ordering rehabilitation and de-radicalisation.
In the final case, Shehu Bukar faced a five-count charge, including alleged membership of Boko Haram, participation in a terrorist attack, providing support, undergoing weapons training, and withholding information.
He pleaded not guilty to four of the counts but admitted to one count of providing support by engaging in cattle rustling and selling goats to the group.
Following his plea, the prosecution applied to withdraw the remaining counts and proceed on the admitted charge, a request granted by the court. The defendant’s statement and investigation report were subsequently admitted as exhibits.
After reviewing the evidence, the court found him guilty. While the defence pleaded for leniency on the grounds that he was a first-time offender, Justice Nyako described the offence as “so gruesome” and sentenced him to 20 years’ imprisonment from the date of his arrest.
The court also ordered that he undergo rehabilitation and de-radicalisation, in line with measures aimed at addressing extremist conduct.
