Two Boko Haram supporters bag life jail
Two Sentenced to Life Imprisonment for Boko Haram Support
ABUJA—Justice Salim Ibrahim of the Federal High Court has sentenced two men to life imprisonment for their involvement with the proscribed Boko Haram terrorist group. Abba Mustapha and Bukar Ibrahim, both from Borno State, received the sentences after pleading guilty to charges of providing logistical support to the group and concealing information.
Each man was sentenced to life imprisonment on the first count and an additional 20 years on the second count.
The rulings were part of ongoing mass trials initiated by the Federal Government to address terrorism-related offenses. The latest proceedings commenced Thursday and are being conducted across several courtrooms, with other judges, including Justices James Omotosho, Binta Nyako, Emeka Nwite, Obiora Egwuatu, Hauwa Yilwa, Joyce Abdulmalik, and Peter Lifu, presiding over various cases.
During the current session, at least 34 defendants were scheduled before Justice Ibrahim, while 25 cases were set for Justice Lifu.
In July, the Federal Government confirmed the resumption of trials for suspects linked to terrorism and other serious crimes, aiming to enhance social justice through a transparent judicial process. The trials are managed by the Federal High Court with oversight from the Complex Casework Group within the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, collaborating with various stakeholders and the National Counter-Terrorism Centre operating under the Office of the National Security Adviser.
The government revealed that more than 300 suspects are currently on trial, with five judges overseeing proceedings in five designated courts to expedite the judicial process for terrorism-related cases.
This follows significant actions earlier this year when the Federal High Court in Abuja convicted 386 defendants accused of terrorism, resulting in sentences ranging from five years to life imprisonment based on the severity of their offenses.
Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, confirmed that a total of 508 defendants had been arraigned across 10 courts, noting that eight defendants were discharged, while two were acquitted during the course of the mass trials.
