By Sabiu Abdullahi
The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced a 37-year-old man, Zakaria Garba, to death by hanging over his involvement in the 2014 bomb attack at Nyanya Motor Park, Abuja.
Justice James Omotosho delivered the judgment during the conclusion of a mass trial involving terrorism suspects in the Federal Capital Territory.
Garba faced a five-count charge related to terrorism, which was filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice. He was convicted after pleading guilty to the charges.
The Nyanya explosion occurred in April 2014 on the outskirts of Abuja. The attack claimed at least 70 lives and left many others injured. It remains one of the deadliest terrorist incidents recorded in the nation’s capital.
In the judgment marked FHC/KNJ/CR/985/2026, the court handed different punishments to the defendant on the five counts.
Justice Omotosho sentenced Garba to 35 years imprisonment each on counts one and two. The court also sentenced him to life imprisonment on count three and death by hanging on counts four and five.
The judge ruled that the defendant’s guilty plea, alongside evidence presented before the court, confirmed his role in the attack, which led to heavy loss of lives and destruction.
The conviction is part of ongoing efforts by authorities to prosecute individuals linked to terrorism offences and provide justice for victims affected by attacks across the country.
