The Federal High Court in Abuja has convicted and sentenced four defendants in separate terrorism-related cases to prison terms ranging from 10 to 20 years.
Presiding judge, Justice Binta Nyako, delivered the sentences on Tuesday after the defendants were arraigned on charges linked to membership and support for the proscribed Boko Haram insurgent group.
In the first case, the prosecution team led by Rotimi Oyedepo, Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, secured the conviction of a defendant who pleaded guilty to four counts bordering on membership of the terrorist group, provision of material support, and handling funds connected to the organisation. The court sentenced him to 10 years’ imprisonment on each count, to run concurrently, with an order for rehabilitation and de-radicalisation.
In a related case, Isa Ali was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to providing support to Boko Haram through logistics and clothing. A separate count alleging membership of the group was struck out following an application by the prosecution.
Similarly, Auwal Bello was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment on two counts, also to run concurrently, after pleading guilty to facilitating terrorism financing, including exchanging about N750,000 during the naira swap policy and paying N20,000 as tax to the group. The court directed that he undergo rehabilitation and de-radicalisation.
In another case, Shehu Bukar was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment after admitting to providing support to the terrorist group through cattle rustling and selling livestock to its members. Four other charges, including alleged membership and participation in an attack, were withdrawn by the prosecution.
Delivering the sentence, Justice Nyako described the offence as grave and emphasised the court’s obligation to act within the provisions of the law.
“Be that as it may, we are bound by the parameters of the law, consequent upon which I hereby sentence him to a term of 20 years imprisonment from the date of his arrest. He is also to undergo rehabilitation and de-radicalization,” the judge ruled.