Court Sentences Two Boko Haram Supporters To Life Imprisonment In Abuja

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced two men to life imprisonment and an additional 20 years each for offences linked to providing support to the proscribed Boko Haram terrorist group.

Justice Salim Ibrahim handed down the sentences after the defendants pleaded guilty to charges of providing logistical support to the group and concealing information.

The convicts were identified as Abba Mustapha, from Bori village in Borno State, and 41-year-old Bukar Ibrahim, also from Borno State.

The judge sentenced each defendant to life imprisonment on the first count and 20 years in prison on the second count.

The convictions formed part of the Federal Government’s ongoing mass trials of terrorism suspects at the Federal High Court, which began on Thursday and are taking place across several courtrooms.

Other judges presiding over the proceedings include Justices James Omotosho, Binta Nyako, Emeka Nwite, Obiora Egwuatu, Hauwa Yilwa, Joyce Abdulmalik and Peter Lifu.

At least 34 defendants were listed before Justice Ibrahim, while 25 appeared on the list of cases before Justice Lifu.

In July, the Federal Government announced the resumption of trials involving suspects linked to terrorism and other serious offences against the state. It described the exercise as part of its commitment to social justice through a transparent judicial process.

The government said the Federal High Court was conducting the trials with support from the Complex Casework Group of the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and other stakeholders, under the coordination and supervision of the National Counter Terrorism Centre in the Office of the National Security Adviser.

It also disclosed that more than 300 suspects were facing trial before five judges in five courts established to expedite the handling of terrorism-related cases.

In April, the Federal High Court in Abuja convicted 386 defendants accused of terrorism following four days of mass trials. Their prison terms ranged from five years to life imprisonment, depending on the seriousness of their offences.

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, said 508 defendants had been arraigned before 10 courts during that exercise.

Fagbemi added that eight defendants were discharged, while two others were acquitted.