Olayiwola Matthew
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Tuesday convicted and sentenced five members of Boko Haram to various prison terms of up to 20 years, as the Federal Government intensified proceedings in the ninth phase of its ongoing mass trials of terrorism suspects.
The latest convictions came as part of hearings involving about 500 suspects, with judicial officers sacrificing their Easter break to ensure speedy dispensation of justice.
Presiding judge, Justice M. O. Olajuwon, ordered that Babagana Umar be remanded in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) after he pleaded not guilty to allegations of supplying materials, including spare parts and firewood, to Boko Haram fighters in the Sambisa Forest in 2022, and failing to alert security authorities. His trial was adjourned.
In a separate ruling before the same court, Yusuf Abacha was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment after he admitted to being a member of the insurgent group, concealing information about another operative, and participating in attacks.
“I hereby sentence him to 20 years imprisonment on each count, to run concurrently, and he is to be rehabilitated and de-radicalised after serving his term,” Justice Olajuwon ruled.
Meanwhile, Justice Binta Nyako also secured four additional convictions. Shehu Bukar received a 20-year sentence for supplying livestock to the terrorist group, with the court describing his actions as particularly grave and rejecting pleas for leniency.
Two other defendants, Isa Ali and Auwal Bello, were each handed 10-year jail terms. Ali was found guilty of providing logistical support, while Bello was convicted for handling funds linked to the group, including transactions amounting to about N750,000 and disbursing N20,000 to Boko Haram members.
Another convict was similarly sentenced to 10 years for offences bordering on membership, financial dealings, and material support.
All those convicted were directed to undergo rehabilitation and de-radicalisation programmes after completing their sentences, with the Ministry of Interior to determine the correctional facilities where they will serve their terms.
Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, disclosed that 227 suspects were arraigned on the first day of the proceedings, with 10 judges sitting simultaneously to accelerate the trials.
“Don’t forget this is an Easter period. Ordinarily, the judges are not supposed to be here but they have been so patriotic and they have put their service to the nation,” he said, expressing optimism that the current phase would be concluded before the weekend.
The suspects are facing charges related to terrorist activities across northern Nigeria, including attacks that reportedly claimed over 2,000 lives, as well as offences involving financing, arms supply, and logistics support for Boko Haram.
Fagbemi emphasised that the trials were being conducted transparently and relocated to Abuja for logistical ease.
“It is in the open. It’s not a secret trial. You will see where confessions are made, where proof is given. Everything is in the public glare,” he stated, noting the presence of observers from Amnesty International, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, and the Nigerian Bar Association.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the Legal Aid Council, Aliu Bagudu Abubakar, said several defendants had admitted to the charges, simplifying the legal process, while confirming that a few had been acquitted.
“For somebody who has been in detention for four, five years to be acquitted, it shows that the trial has some level of transparency,” he noted.
Security remained tight around the court premises, with suspects transported under heavy escort by operatives of the DSS, police, and the military. The trials are set to continue on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.
