The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has sentenced 11 members of Boko Haram to prison terms ranging from 40 to 60 years for terrorism-related offences.
Delivering judgment, Justice Obiora Egwuatu held that the convictions were based on confessional statements and guilty pleas entered by the defendants in open court. He ruled that once an accused person admits guilt, the law permits conviction without further proof.
The convicts—Musa Mustapha, Ali Mohammed, Babagana Ali, Abacha Abba, Ali Abbagana Umar, Kadi Agwala, Yahaya Umara, Alhaji Ari, Goni Mustapha, Ali Modu, and Alhaji Fannaya—were found guilty of offences including membership of a proscribed organisation and providing logistical support to terrorist operations.
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The court ordered that all sentences run concurrently from the date of arrest and directed that the convicts undergo rehabilitation and de-radicalisation programmes after completing their jail terms.
Among those sentenced, Alhaji Fannaya received 20 years imprisonment on each of four counts after pleading guilty to multiple charges. Abacha Abba was handed 20 years on each of three counts, including transporting weapons and participating in terrorist training. Ali Babagana Umar and Kadi Agwala were each sentenced to 20 years on two counts related to aiding the group.
In a separate ruling, Justice Peter Lifu sentenced Ali Kolo to nine years imprisonment for failing to report terrorist activities, despite acknowledging that he had been attacked by insurgents while attempting to alert authorities. However, having spent over a decade in detention, the court ordered his immediate release.
Similarly, Ibrahim Buba, a bricklayer from Borno State, was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for withholding information about terrorist activities. He admitted knowing members of the group but fled the state instead of informing security agencies.
The prosecution, led by government counsel David Kaswe, relied on provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, which requires citizens to disclose information related to terrorist operations.
