The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday sentenced five terrorism convicts to various prison terms, including one who received 20 years imprisonment, as a fresh phase of the mass trial of terrorism suspects commenced.
The court also remanded another suspect, Babagana Umar, after he pleaded not guilty to terrorism-related charges.
Umar is facing a three-count charge over alleged support for Boko Haram. The allegations include supplying spare parts and firewood to the terrorist group in Sambisa Forest in 2022, as well as failing to disclose information that could have led to the arrest and prosecution of members of the group. His case was adjourned to a later date.
In a separate case, Yusuf Tuggar Abacha was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment after pleading guilty to charges linked to professing membership of Boko Haram, withholding information about a member of the group, and participating in attacks.
Four other defendants were also convicted and sentenced in separate proceedings.
One of the convicts received 10 years imprisonment on each of four counts for offences relating to membership of Boko Haram, material support, and handling of funds connected to the group. The sentences are to run concurrently.
Another defendant, Isa Ali, was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for providing logistical support to Boko Haram.
Auwal Bello was also sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for facilitating terrorism financing, including the exchange of about N750,000 and the payment of N20,000 to the group.
Shehu Bukar was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for supplying cattle and goats to Boko Haram.
All the convicted persons were ordered to undergo rehabilitation and de-radicalisation after serving their jail terms. The Ministry of Interior is to determine the correctional facilities where they will serve their sentences.
The latest proceedings mark the ninth phase of the Federal Government’s mass terrorism trial, with 500 suspects listed for arraignment.
A total of 227 suspects were brought before the courts on the first day of the exercise.
The suspects are facing allegations ranging from participation in deadly attacks in northern Nigeria to terrorism financing and the supply of arms, ammunition, food, and logistics to insurgent groups.
The trials are being conducted in Abuja to allow multiple judges to sit simultaneously and accelerate the process.
Security was tightened around the court premises during the proceedings, with suspects brought to court under heavy guard.
Some of the suspects are also expected to be discharged or acquitted as the trials continue.
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