Yobe farmer jailed 10 years for failing to report Boko Haram members
A father of eight from Abara village in the Bara Local Government Area of Borno State has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for failing to report the activities of Boko Haram members in his community.
Malam Mele Modu was convicted on Friday by the Federal High Court in Abuja after acknowledging his negligence in providing information that could have helped law enforcement apprehend the terrorists.
Modu was one of 47 individuals facing trial on terrorism-related charges before Justice Binta Nyako. He was prosecuted on a four-count indictment that included allegations of Boko Haram membership, supporting terrorists by harvesting beans for them, and concealing critical information regarding their activities.
Although Modu denied three of the charges, he admitted to his failure to assist the government by providing information that could have mitigated the risks posed by the terrorist group. During his arraignment, Modu expressed concerns for his safety, stating he feared retaliation from the terrorists if he spoke out.
The court found this explanation insufficient, citing Section 8(1)(b) of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act of 2013, which mandates cooperation with authorities in matters related to terrorism.
Despite efforts by his attorney, Mr. Dauda Hassan, to have the charges dismissed on the grounds of fear for his life, the court ruled against Modu. Justice Nyako determined he had violated terrorism laws and imposed a 10-year prison sentence, which will be retroactively effective from 2016, the year in which he was arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services.
