A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has sentenced four members of the extremist group Boko Haram to life imprisonment, while 14 others received varying jail terms for terrorism-related offences linked to attacks in northeastern Nigeria.
Delivering judgment on Tuesday, Justice James Omotosho convicted the defendants after they pleaded guilty to charges brought by the Federal Government. The offences stemmed from a series of violent attacks carried out between 2021 and 2024 in parts of Borno State, a region long affected by insurgency.
The prosecution was led by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, alongside the Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo. Evidence presented in court included confessional statements and investigation reports tendered through a witness from the Department of State Services (DSS).
Life Sentences for Key Convicts
Those handed life imprisonment include Ali Abiso, Bakura Abah Kabiru, Ado (also known as Luka Garba), and Babagoni Masawai.
Court records showed that Abiso, a 30-year-old from Bama Local Government Area, admitted to participating in coordinated attacks across several communities, including Gwoza and Konduga. The offences were prosecuted under provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.
Justice Omotosho ruled that the guilty pleas aligned with the defendants’ confessional statements, holding that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
14 Others Get Up to 25 Years
In addition to the four life sentences, the court convicted 14 other defendants, handing down prison terms ranging from 20 to 25 years depending on the counts. In several cases, the judge ordered that sentences run concurrently.
Among those sentenced were Ali Mustapha, Danbawa Salisu, Modu Ali, Sanda Bello, Mustapha Fali, and others, all found guilty of involvement in terrorist activities, including logistics support, recruitment, and participation in attacks.
The convictions come amid Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to dismantle insurgent networks in the northeast, where Boko Haram and its offshoots have waged a violent campaign for over a decade. According to security reports, intensified military operations and prosecutions in recent years have led to the arrest and trial of hundreds of suspects linked to terrorism.
Legal experts say the latest judgment underscores the government’s reliance on both military action and the judicial system to combat insurgency and reinforce accountability.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the trials form part of an initiative to fast-track terrorism cases and ensure justice for victims of attacks across affected communities.
