Court sentences Boko Haram member to death over 2015 Maiduguri attack

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has sentenced a Boko Haram member, Alkali Yarima, also known as La’ari, to death by hanging for his role in the 2015 terrorist attacks on Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice James Omotosho convicted Yarima on a seven-count terrorism charge brought against him by the Federal Government.

The court sentenced the convict to death by hanging on the count relating to his participation in the 2015 Maiduguri attack. Justice Omotosho also imposed a life sentence on count six after finding him guilty of receiving arms and weapons training in preparation for terrorist acts.

In addition, the court sentenced Yarima to 35 years imprisonment on count one, 30 years on count five, and 10 years each on counts two, three and four.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Federal Government arraigned Yarima in the case marked FHC/KNJ/CR/971/2026. The seven-count charge was filed on May 29 by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN.

According to the prosecution, Yarima, a resident of Lawanti Area in Mafa Local Government Area of Borno State, was a member of the proscribed Boko Haram terrorist group between 2009 and 2015 before his arrest.

The prosecution further alleged that he accepted the “Da’awah” of the late Boko Haram founder, Mohammed Yusuf, an offence punishable under Section 16(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention Amendment) Act, 2013.

On count six, the court held that Yarima prepared for acts of terrorism by travelling to an Arab country where he received training in arms and weapon handling, contrary to Section 21 of the Terrorism (Prevention Amendment) Act, 2013.

The death sentence stemmed from his conviction on count seven, which accused him of participating in the 2015 attacks on Maiduguri, an offence punishable under Section 2(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention Amendment) Act, 2013.

The trial, which began at Kainji in Niger State, was later concluded at the Federal High Court in Abuja.