…14 others get various jail terms
A Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday sentenced four men to life imprisonment for their involvement in Boko Haram activities in parts of Borno State between 2021 and 2024.
Justice James Omotosho handed down the sentences after the defendants, who were arraigned separately, pleaded guilty to the charges.
The convicts are Ali Abiso, Bakura Abah Kabiru, Ado (also known as Luka Garba), and Babagoni Masawai.
They are among about 500 terrorism suspects currently being prosecuted by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Abiso, a 30-year-old man from Bama Local Government Area of Borno State, was arraigned on a four-count charge, marked: FHC/KNJ/CR/509/2026.
He was, among others, said to have, on or before July 8, 2022, aided and participated in Boko Haram attacks carried out in Bama, Gwoza, Konduga, Bita, Baza, and Aulari.
The offences, according to the prosecution, are contrary to the provisions of Section 17 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Abiso pleaded guilty when the charge was read to him, following which the judge convicted him.
Justice Omotosho said, “The plea of guilty made by the defendant corroborates his confessional statement, and the court is of the irresistible view that the defendant is guilty as charged on the four-count charge.
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“In the final analysis, this court is satisfied that the prosecution has established the charge against the defendant beyond a reasonable doubt. Consequently, he is convicted as charged.”
The judge proceeded to sentence him to life imprisonment on counts two and four.
In relation to counts one and three, the judge sentenced him to 25 years imprisonment each, which he said should run concurrently.
On his part, Kabiru was arraigned on a three-count charge, to which he pleaded guilty.
He was said to have actively participated in Boko Haram activities.
Justice Omotosho sentenced him to life imprisonment on count two and gave him 25 years each in relation to counts one and three.
Ado, who was arraigned on a two-count charge, got life imprisonment on count two and 25 years on count one.
Masawai, who was arraigned on a seven-count charge, was sentenced to life imprisonment on counts six and seven.
The judge sentenced him to 20 years each on counts one and two and to 10 years each on counts three, four, and five, respectively.
He also sentenced 14 others to various jail terms.
One of them is Ali Mustapha, who bagged 20 years in count one and 10 years in each of counts two to seven of the charge on which he was arraigned.
The judge ordered that the sentencing shall run concurrently after the defendant pleaded for mercy.
Others, who got various jail terms, are Danbawa Salisu, Modu Ali, Sanda Bello, Mustapha Fali, Modu Musa, Bidal Modu, Mohammed Abdullahi, Umar Garba, Usman Ahmadu, Hussaini Bukar, Baba Manye, Musa Mai Modu, and Ali Musa.
