The Federal High Court in Abuja has convicted and sentenced seven individuals over offences linked to terrorism, including providing logistical support and financial assistance to Boko Haram and other terrorist groups.
Delivering judgment on Tuesday, Justice Binta Nyako sentenced Awal Bello to 10 years imprisonment for facilitating the exchange of ₦750,000 to Boko Haram during a currency swap in 2023.
The judge also found Bello guilty of paying ₦20,000 as tax to the terrorist group, an offence contrary to Section 21 of the Terrorism Prevention Act 2013. He pleaded guilty to the two count charge filed by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, and his sentence was ordered to run concurrently.
In another case, Hamat Modu, who pleaded guilty to being a member of Boko Haram, was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment on each of four counts bordering on terrorism. The sentences were also ordered to run concurrently, with the court directing that he undergo rehabilitation and deradicalisation.
An 18 year old defendant, Isah Ali, pleaded guilty to one count and not guilty to another. The court struck out the not guilty count and sentenced him to 10 years imprisonment on the remaining charge. His lawyer and representatives of the Legal Aid Council pleaded for leniency, noting that he was young at the time of his arrest and had already spent three years in detention. The court also ordered his rehabilitation and deradicalisation.
In another ruling, Shehu Bukar was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for supporting Boko Haram by selling livestock to the group. He was convicted on one of five counts, while maintaining not guilty pleas on the others, including an allegation of participation in an attack in Konduga, Borno State.
A 43 year old man, Alhaji Kulle, received a five year jail term on counts that included paying ₦6,000 weekly to Boko Haram with knowledge that the funds would be used to finance terrorism activities. The sentences were ordered to run concurrently.
Tasiu Yakubu was also sentenced to seven years imprisonment following his conviction on a one count charge. Prosecutors led by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, tendered confessional statements and investigative reports as evidence, urging the court to impose a sentence in line with the law. The defence requested leniency, citing remorse, but the court ordered rehabilitation and deradicalisation alongside the sentence.
In a separate judgment, Abdullahii Ali was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for supplying logistics in the form of fuel to the Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP. The court fixed the commencement of his sentence from November 20, 2023, the date of his arrest, and also ordered his rehabilitation and deradicalisation.
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