The Federal High Court in Abuja has handed life imprisonment to four individuals convicted of terrorism-related offences linked to Boko Haram, while 14 others received varying prison terms.
Justice James Omotosho delivered the judgment after all the defendants pleaded guilty to charges filed by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The prosecution, led by Attorney-General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) and Director of Public Prosecutions Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), presented confessional statements and investigative findings through a witness from the Department of State Services (DSS).
The court admitted these materials as evidence before delivering its verdict.
Justice Omotosho ruled that the guilty pleas aligned with the defendants’ confessions, establishing the offences beyond reasonable doubt.
Those sentenced to life imprisonment include Ali Abiso, Bakura Abah Kabiru, Ado (also known as Luka Garba), and Babagoni Masawai.
Ali Abiso, a 30-year-old from Bama Local Government Area of Borno State, was found guilty of participating in attacks across multiple communities, including Gwoza, Konduga, Bita, Baza, and Aulari.
In addition to life sentences on some counts, he received prison terms totaling 50 years on other charges, though the court ordered these to run concurrently.
Kabiru and Ado were also handed life sentences alongside additional 25-year jail terms on separate counts.
Masawai received life imprisonment on two counts, along with additional sentences ranging between 10 and 20 years for other offences.
The court also convicted 14 other defendants, sentencing them to prison terms ranging between 10 and 25 years depending on the charges.
Among them, Ali Mustapha was sentenced to 20 years on one count and 10 years each on several others, bringing his total to 80 years, though the sentences will run concurrently.
Other convicted individuals include 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.
The offences were prosecuted under provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, which criminalizes participation in terrorist activities and support for extremist groups.
The court emphasized that the prosecution had sufficiently proven its case through credible evidence and voluntary confessions.
The judgment reflects ongoing efforts by Nigerian authorities to combat terrorism and hold perpetrators accountable through the judicial system.
Security agencies, including the DSS, continue to play a key role in investigating and prosecuting cases linked to insurgency.
