Five terrorists jailed, FG expedites 500 suspects’ trials

Court

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday sentenced five terrorism convicts to various jail terms, including 20 years imprisonment.

The court also remanded another suspect who pleaded not guilty to terrorism charges, as the Federal Government began a fresh phase in the mass trial of 500 suspects.

Justice M. O. Olajuwon remanded Babagana Umar in the custody of the Department of State Services, after he denied a three-count charge bordering on alleged support for Boko Haram.

Umar was accused of “knowingly rendering support by supplying spare parts to Boko Haram,” as well as supplying firewood to the terrorist group in Sambisa Forest in 2022, contrary to Section 13 of the Terrorism (Prohibition and Prevention) Act, 2022.

He was also alleged to have had “information about the whereabouts and activities of Boko Haram, which would have led to apprehension and prosecution of these persons… but did not disclose to any law enforcement agency,” contrary to Section 16 of the Act.

The court adjourned Umar’s trial to the next sitting.

In a separate case before the same court, Justice Olajuwon convicted Yusuf Tuggar Abacha to 20 years’ imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to professing membership of Boko Haram, withholding information about a member of the group, and participating in attacks. Punch