Abuja court sentences 4 to life imprisonment, jails 14 others for terrorism

The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced four members of Boko Haram to life imprisonment, while convicting 14 others to various jail terms over terrorism-related offences.

The trial judge, Justice James Omotosho, delivered the judgment on Tuesday after the defendants pleaded guilty to charges brought against them by the Federal Government.

The prosecution, supported by evidence from the Department of State Services (DSS), tendered confessional statements and investigation reports, which were admitted by the court.

The four convicts sentenced to life imprisonment are Ali Abiso, Bakura Abah Kabiru, Ado (also known as Luka Garba), and Babagoni Masawai. The court held that their guilty pleas were consistent with the evidence presented and sufficient to establish the charges beyond reasonable doubt.

In addition to the life sentences, the court imposed multiple prison terms on the convicts across different counts. Abiso, for instance, received life imprisonment on two counts and 25 years each on two other counts, with the terms ordered to run concurrently. The charges included participation in terrorist activities across several communities in Borno State, in violation of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Similarly, Kabiru and Ado were handed life sentences alongside additional fixed-term imprisonments, while Masawai received life terms on two counts and varying prison sentences on others.

Justice Omotosho also convicted 14 other defendants, sentencing them to prison terms ranging between 20 and 25 years across multiple counts. One of the convicts, Ali Mustapha, received a cumulative sentence of 80 years, with the court directing that the terms run concurrently.

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), led the prosecution team, alongside the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN).

The court emphasised that the convictions were based on credible evidence, including confessional statements, and reinforced the government’s ongoing efforts to prosecute terrorism-related offences within the ambit of the law.