Two Boko Haram supporters bag life jail

Justice Salim Ibrahim of the Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced two men arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) to life imprisonment and an additional 20 years each for offences linked to supporting the proscribed Boko Haram group.

The men were sentenced after pleading guilty to charges of providing logistical support to the terrorist group and concealing information.

The convicts are Abba Mustapha, from Bori village in Borno State, and 41-year-old Bukar Ibrahim, also from Borno State.

Justice Ibrahim sentenced each of them to life imprisonment on the first count and 20 years’ imprisonment on the second count.

The sentences were handed down during the latest phase of the Federal Government’s mass trials of suspected terrorists at the court.

The exercise, which began on Thursday, is ongoing across several courtrooms.

Other judges handling the cases include Justices James Omotosho, Binta Nyako, Emeka Nwite, Obiora Egwuatu, Hauwa Yilwa, Joyce Abdulmalik and Peter Lifu.

At least 34 defendants were listed before Justice Ibrahim, while 25 were listed before Justice Lifu.

In July, the Federal Government announced the resumption of trials of suspects linked to terrorism and other serious crimes against the state, describing the exercise as part of its commitment to promoting social justice through a transparent judicial process.

The government said the trials were being conducted by the Federal High Court in line with the international criminal justice system, with the Complex Casework Group of the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation working alongside other stakeholders under the coordination and supervision of the National Counter Terrorism Centre in the Office of the National Security Adviser.

It also disclosed that more than 300 suspects were facing trial, with five judges presiding over five courts established to ensure the speedy dispensation of justice in terrorism-related cases.

In April, the Federal High Court in Abuja convicted 386 defendants accused of terrorism following four days of mass trials.

They were sentenced to various terms of imprisonment ranging from five years to life, depending on the gravity of their offences.

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, confirmed the development, saying 508 defendants had been arraigned before 10 courts.

Fagbemi told journalists at the end of the mass trials that eight defendants had been discharged, while two had been acquitted.