Court Jails Four Terrorists For Life, Convicts 14 Others Over Boko Haram Attacks

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday sentenced four terrorists to life imprisonment for their involvement in Boko Haram attacks in parts of Borno State between 2021 and 2024.

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The trial judge, Justice James Omotosho, handed down the sentences after the convicts pleaded guilty to terrorism-related charges brought against them by the Federal Government.

In addition to the life sentences, the court also convicted and sentenced 14 other terrorists to various jail terms ranging from 20 to 25 years, while another suspect was ordered to be released after serving a one-year sentence.

The prosecution was led by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, alongside the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, and other government lawyers.

During the trial, a witness from the Department of State Services (DSS) presented evidence, including the confessional statements of the defendants and investigation reports, which were admitted by the court.

Those sentenced to life imprisonment include Ali Abiso, Bakura Abah Kabiru, Ado (also known as Luka Garba), and Babagoni Masawai.

In one of the charges marked FHC/KNJ/CR/509/2026, Ali Abiso was prosecuted as the sole defendant.

After the charges were read to him, he pleaded guilty to all four counts.

Justice Omotosho subsequently sentenced him to life imprisonment on counts two and four, while imposing 25-year jail terms on counts one and three, with the sentences to run concurrently.

The judge held that the defendant’s guilty plea confirmed the prosecution’s case.

“The plea of guilty made by the defendant corroborates his confessional statement and the court is of the irresistible view that the defendant is guilty as charged,” the judge said.

Abiso, a 30-year-old man from Bama Local Government Area of Borno State, was found to have aided and participated in Boko Haram attacks carried out in Bama, Gwoza, Konduga, Bita, Baza, and Aulari on July 8, 2022.

The offence was said to be contrary to Section 17 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Similarly, Bakura Abah Kabiru was sentenced to life imprisonment in count two and 25 years imprisonment in each of counts one and three.

For Ado (Luka Garba), the court imposed life imprisonment in count two and 25 years in count one.

Another convict, Babagoni Masawai, was sentenced to life imprisonment in counts six and seven, 20 years in counts one and two, and 10 years in each of counts three, four and five.

Justice Omotosho also sentenced 14 other convicts to varying prison terms after they pleaded guilty to terrorism charges.

The convicts include 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.

Ali Mustapha received 20 years imprisonment in count one and 10 years in each of counts two to seven, totalling 80 years, although the sentences are to run concurrently.

In a related ruling, another judge of the court handling terrorism cases, Justice Musa Liman, ordered the release of Amina Audu, who had earlier been sentenced to one year imprisonment.

Audu had pleaded guilty to a charge of providing logistical support to Boko Haram, a proscribed terrorist organisation.

The prosecution had initially filed three counts against her, but counts one and two were withdrawn, leaving only the third count.

Before sentencing, Audu told the court that Boko Haram insurgents killed her husband four years ago, leaving her to care for eight children.

She pleaded for leniency, explaining that she was arrested on April 8, 2024 and had no one to care for her children.

Justice Liman ruled that the one-year sentence should run from the date of her arrest, meaning she had already completed the term.

The court therefore ordered her immediate release from custody.