Terrorism: Court convicts Boko Haram food suppliers

The Federal Government on Tuesday, April 7, resumed the prosecution of over 500 alleged terrorists arrested across different parts of the country.
 

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Among those arraigned and convicted by the Federal High Court in Abuja was a father of three, Shehu Bukar, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison for supplying goats to Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State.

The defendant initially pleaded not guilty to four out of five charges filed against him by the federal government. However, the prosecution withdrew those counts and proceeded with one charge, which he admitted.

In her judgment, Justice Binta Nyako relied on the defendant’s extrajudicial statement, investigation report, and his confession before sentencing him. His plea for leniency was rejected.

The court described terrorism as a serious and growing concern affecting all regions of the country, noting that aiding insurgents—such as supplying goats—constitutes a grave offence.
 

In a separate ruling, another defendant, Hamza Yahuza, a father of six, was sentenced to seven years in prison for supplying Indian hemp and cigarettes to Boko Haram members in Borno State.
 

Yahuza admitted committing the offence in 2023 and pleaded for forgiveness, but the court rejected his appeal, dismissing his claim that poverty led him into the act. His sentence was backdated to March 6, 2023, when he was arrested.

Another defendant, Hamatu Modu, was sentenced to 40 years after admitting to supplying food and information to terrorists. However, the court ordered that the sentences run concurrently, meaning he will serve 10 years.
 

Similarly, Isah Ali was convicted for supplying food to insurgents and sentenced to 10 years in prison, with his term backdated to the time of his arrest. The court also directed that he undergo rehabilitation and deradicalisation after serving his sentence.
 

Other judges involved in the proceedings included Justices Emeka Nwite, Musa Liman, Akpan Ekerete, and Mobolaji Olajuwon.
 

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, alongside the Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo, were present in court to lead the prosecution.

The defendants were represented by lawyers from the National Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, led by its Director General, Aliyu Abubakar.