A federal high court in Abuja has sentenced four Boko Haram members to life imprisonment.
The convictions followed guilty pleas entered by the
defendants to charges brought against them by the federal government. A witness
from the Department of State Services (DSS) also presented evidence in support
of the prosecution’s case.
James Omotosho, the presiding judge, also convicted 14 other
defendants in a ruling delivered on Tuesday, sentencing them to prison terms
ranging from 20 to 25 years on multiple counts.
The prosecution, led by Lateef Fagbemi, attorney-general of
the federation (AGF) and minister of justice, alongside Rotimi Oyedepo,
director of public prosecutions of the federation (DPPF), tendered confessional
statements and investigation reports through the DSS witness. The court
admitted the documents as exhibits.
Those sentenced to life imprisonment are Ali Abiso, Bakura
Abah Kabiru, Ado (also known as Luka Garba), and Babagoni Masawai.
In the charge marked FHC/KNJ/CR/509/2026, Abiso, arraigned
as the sole defendant, pleaded guilty to all four counts brought against him.
According to the prosecution, 30-year-old Abiso from Bama
LGA of Borno state, participated in and aided attacks carried out in Bama,
Gwoza, Konduga, Bita, Baza, and Aulari on or before July 8, 2022 — offences
punishable under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Delivering judgement, Omotosho sentenced him to life
imprisonment on counts two and four, and 25 years each on counts one and three.
The court ordered that the sentences for counts one and three run concurrently.
Kabiru was sentenced to life imprisonment on count two and
25 years each on counts one and three, while Ado received life imprisonment on
count two and 25 years on count one.
The judge sentenced Masawai to life imprisonment on counts
six and seven, 20 years each on counts one and two, and 10 years each on counts
three, four, and five.
The court also handed varying sentences to 14 other
defendants after they pleaded guilty. Their convictions were based on
confessional statements and investigation reports admitted through the DSS
witness.
Among them, Ali Mustapha was sentenced to 20 years on count
one and 10 years each on counts two to seven, amounting to 80 years. The court,
however, ordered that the sentences run concurrently.
Other convicts include 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.
On Tuesday, the minister said 500 suspects are being
prosecuted in phase 9 of the mass trial of suspected terrorists in Abuja. The
defendants are standing trial before judges of the federal high court.
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