A Federal High Court in Abuja has convicted 18 members of the Boko Haram terrorist group, sentencing four of them to life imprisonment over their involvement in multiple acts of terrorism.
The judgment was delivered by Justice James Omotosho following guilty pleas from the defendants and evidence presented by the Department of State Services (DSS).
The Federal Government, led by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, and the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, prosecuted the case.
Confessional statements and investigation reports were tendered in court through a DSS witness and admitted as evidence.
Among those sentenced to life imprisonment are Ali Abiso, Bakura Abah Kabiru, Ado (also known as Luka Garba), and Babagoni Masawai.
The court found them guilty of participating in and supporting terrorist attacks in several communities in Borno State, including Bama, Gwoza, Konduga, Bita, Baza, and Aulari.
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In the case of Abiso, who was arraigned as a principal defendant, the court imposed life imprisonment on some counts and additional prison terms of up to 25 years on others, with certain sentences ordered to run concurrently.
Kabiru and Ado also received life sentences on specific counts alongside additional prison terms, while Masawai was handed multiple sentences ranging from 10 to 20 years on different charges.
The court also convicted 14 other defendants who pleaded guilty to various terrorism-related charges. Their sentences ranged from 10 to 25 years depending on their level of involvement.
One of the convicts, Ali Mustapha, received a cumulative sentence totaling 80 years, although the court ordered that the terms 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 court said the convictions were based on strong confessional statements and investigative evidence linking the defendants to coordinated terrorist activities.
The ruling is part of ongoing mass trials of suspected terrorists, as the Federal Government continues prosecution of hundreds of suspects across different phases of terrorism cases in Abuja.
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