The trial of more than 500 apprehended members and associates of the Boko Haram terrorist organization continued on Wednesday, with the Federal High Court in Abuja convicting and sentencing four defendants to life imprisonment.
Those who bagged life sentences after pleading guilty to charges brought against them by the Federal Government were Ali Abiso, Bakura Abah Kabiru, Ado (a.k.a. Luka Garba), and Babagoni Masawai.
Justice James Omotosho noted that their guilty pleas corroborated confessional statements they had made earlier, before being brought to court for prosecution.
In one of the charges, marked FHC/KNJ/CR/509/2026, 30-year-old Abiso, from Bama Local Government Area of Borno State, was alleged to have aided and participated in Boko Haram attacks in Bama, Gwoza, Konduga, Bita, Baza, and Aulari on July 8, 2022.
The attacks led to many deaths and destruction of property, an offence punishable under Section 17 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
While the defendant received life imprisonment on counts two and four of the charge, he was sentenced to 25 years’ imprisonment on each of counts one and three, totalling 50 years.
However, Justice Omotosho ruled that the sentences on counts one and three should run concurrently.
“The guilty plea made by the defendant corroborates his confessional statement, and the court is irresistibly convinced that he is guilty as charged on the four-count charge.
“In the final analysis, this court is satisfied that the prosecution has proved the charges against the defendant beyond reasonable doubt. Consequently, he is convicted as charged,” the trial judge held.
In the case against Kabiru, who actively participated in the terror group’s activities, the court sentenced him to life imprisonment on count two, and 25 years’ imprisonment on each of counts one and three.
Likewise, the court upheld charges against Ado and Masawai, sentencing both to life imprisonment.
Ado also received 25 years on count one, while Masawai got 20 years each on counts one and two, and 10 years each on counts three, four, and five.
Meanwhile, in other judgments delivered on Wednesday, the court sentenced 14 others found complicit in terrorism-related offences to various jail terms.
The convicts included Ali Mustapha, who received 20 years on count one and 10 years each on counts two to seven (totalling 80 years), with the sentences to run concurrently.
Others convicted and sentenced by Justice Omotosho were Danbawa Salisu, Modu Ali, Sanda Bello, Mustapha Fali, Modu Musa, Bidal Modu, and Mohammed Abdullahi; as well as Umar Garba, Usman Ahmadu, Hussaini Bukar, Baba Manye, Musa Mai Modu, and Ali Musa.
The prosecution produced their confessional statements and investigation reports, which the court admitted and marked as exhibits.
It will be recalled that the trial of the 500 alleged terrorists resumed before the court on Tuesday, with the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), and the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF), Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), leading the prosecution.
The defendants were represented by lawyers from the National Legal Aid Council of Nigeria (NLACON), led by Director General Mr. Aliyu Abubakar.
The AGF, who noted that 10 judges were assigned to handle the cases, said the trial — previously held at a military facility in Kainji, Niger State — had been moved to Abuja for logistical reasons.
He added that, with the court currently on vacation, the FG decided to utilise the free courtrooms and facilities, as well as the judges’ availability, to expedite the trials of all defendants in detention.
The Justice Minister said the proceedings were part of phase 9 of the mass trial of terror suspects.