Court sentences Boko Haram member to death over 2015 Maiduguri attack
Federal High Court Sentences Boko Haram Member to Death for 2015 Maiduguri Attacks
ABUJA—A Federal High Court has sentenced Alkali Yarima, also known as La’ari, to death by hanging for his involvement in the 2015 terrorist attacks in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State.
Justice James Omotosho delivered the ruling on Friday, convicting Yarima on seven counts of terrorism as charged by the Federal Government. The court’s decision includes a life sentence for a separate count related to arms and weapons training intended for terrorist activities.
Additionally, Yarima received sentences of 35 years for one count, 30 years for another, and 10 years each for three other counts. The case, marked FHC/KNJ/CR/971/2026, was filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, on May 29.
The prosecution argued that Yarima, a resident of the Lawanti area in Mafa Local Government, was affiliated with the banned Boko Haram group from 2009 to 2015 prior to his arrest. The charges included his acceptance of the “Da’awah” preached by the late Boko Haram founder, Mohammed Yusuf, an act deemed punishable under the Terrorism (Prevention Amendment) Act of 2013.
The court found that Yarima traveled to an Arab country to receive arms training, which constituted preparation for terrorist acts, contrary to the same act. The death penalty results from his conviction in connection with the 2015 Maiduguri attacks, an offense under Section 2(1) of the aforementioned act.
The trial began in Kainji, Niger State, before concluding at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
