Court Sentences Four Terrorists to Life, Convicts 14 Others

The Federal High Court in Abuja handed life terms to four Boko Haram members after guilty pleas. A DSS witness provided evidence admitted by the court.

The court sentenced four terrorists to life terms. It also convicted 14 others on terrorism charges.

Judgment and prosecution

Justice James Omotosho delivered the sentences. The Attorney General, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, led the prosecution team with Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN.

Confessional statements and investigation reports were tendered through a DSS investigator. They were admitted as exhibits in evidence.

Main defendants and sentences

Four defendants received life terms in the Abuja trial.

• Ali Abiso pleaded guilty to four counts in case FHC/KNJ/CR/509/2026. Justice Omotosho sentenced him to life on counts two and four.

  He was given 25 years on counts one and three, which were ordered to run concurrently. Abiso is 30 years old from Bama Local Government Area, Borno.

  He was accused of aiding Boko Haram attacks on or before July 8, 2022. Alleged attack sites included Bama, Gwoza, Konduga, Bita, Baza and Aulari.

• Bakura Abah Kabiru pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life on count two. He received 25 years for counts one and three.

• Ado, also known as Luka Garba, pleaded guilty and was jailed for life on count two. He received 25 years on count one.

• Babagoni Masawai pleaded guilty and got life terms on counts six and seven. He received 20 years on counts one and two.

  He was given 10 years on counts three, four and five respectively.

Fourteen others convicted

Justice Omotosho also convicted 14 other defendants. They pleaded guilty and had confessions and investigation reports admitted as evidence.

• Those sentenced included Ali Mustapha, Danbawa Salisu, Modu Ali and Sanda Bello.

• Also sentenced were Mustapha Fali, Modu Musa, Bidal Modu and Mohammed Abdullahi.

• Umar Garba, Usman Ahmadu, Hussaini Bukar and Baba Manye were convicted.

• Musa Mai Modu and Ali Musa completed the list of 14 defendants.

Ali Mustapha received 20 years on count one and 10 years on counts two to seven. The judge ordered those terms to run concurrently after a mercy plea.

Most received 20 to 25 year terms per count for terrorism-related offences.

Legal context

All convictions relate to terrorism offences under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. Filmogaz.com reports the rulings and courtroom details.