The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced four individuals involved in Boko Haram attacks in Borno State between 2021 and 2024 to life imprisonment. The judgment was delivered by Justice James Omotosho after the convicts pleaded guilty, with evidence provided by a witness from the Department of State Services (DSS).
In addition, the court handed down varying jail terms of 20 to 25 years to 14 other terrorism convicts who also pleaded guilty.
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, led the Federal Government’s legal team, which included Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, the Director of Public Prosecutions, in the proceedings. Confessional statements of the convicts, along with DSS investigation reports, were admitted as evidence.
Convicts Sentenced to Life Imprisonment
The four individuals sentenced to life imprisonment are:
- Ali Abiso – Life imprisonment for counts two and four, and 25 years each for counts one and three, to run concurrently. Abiso, a 30-year-old from Bama LGA, participated in Boko Haram attacks in Bama, Gwoza, Konduga, Bita, Baza, and Aulari on July 8, 2022.
- Bakura Abah Kabiru – Life imprisonment in count two and 25 years each in counts one and three.
- Ado (aka Luka Garba) – Life imprisonment in count two and 25 years in count one.
- Babagoni Masawai – Life imprisonment in counts six and seven; 20 years in counts one and two; 10 years in counts three, four, and five respectively.
Other Convictions
Fourteen additional convicts, including Ali Mustapha, 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, were sentenced to various jail terms ranging from 10 to 80 years after pleading guilty. In the case of Ali Mustapha, a total sentence of 80 years was handed down to run concurrently following a plea for mercy.
Court Orders Release of One Convict
Separately, Justice Musa Liman, another judge handling terrorism cases, ordered the release of Amina Audu, who had been sentenced to one year in prison for providing logistical support to Boko Haram. Audu had initially faced a three-count charge but pleaded guilty to the third count. Following the prosecution’s withdrawal of the first two counts, the court directed her immediate release.
