Court jails Abba Mustapha, one other for supporting Boko Haram

The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced two men to life imprisonment and an additional 20 years in prison each for providing logistical support to Boko Haram and concealing information about the proscribed terrorist organisation.

The convicts, Abba Mustapha, from Bori village in Borno State, and 41-year-old Bukar Ibrahim, also from Borno State, were sentenced by Justice Salim Ibrahim after pleading guilty to the charges brought against them.

The judge imposed life imprisonment on each defendant on the first count and an additional 20-year jail term on the second count.

The sentences were handed down during the latest phase of the Federal Government’s mass trials of suspected terrorists at the Federal High Court.

The exercise, which commenced on Thursday, is being conducted across several courtrooms as the government intensifies efforts to prosecute suspects accused of terrorism and related offences.

Other judges presiding over the proceedings include Justices James Omotosho, Binta Nyako, Emeka Nwite, Obiora Egwuatu, Hauwa Yilwa, Joyce Abdulmalik and Peter Lifu.

At least 34 defendants were scheduled to appear before Justice Salim Ibrahim, while 25 others were listed for proceedings before Justice Lifu.

In July, the Federal Government announced the resumption of trials involving suspects allegedly linked to terrorism and other serious crimes against the Nigerian state.

The government said the exercise was part of its commitment to promoting social justice through a transparent judicial process.

It explained that the proceedings were being conducted in line with the International Criminal Justice (ICJ) system by the Federal High Court, with support from the Complex Casework Group of the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation.

The process also involves other relevant stakeholders operating under the coordination and supervision of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) in the Office of the National Security Adviser.

According to the government, more than 300 suspects were facing trial, with five judges presiding over five courts and chambers established to accelerate the administration of justice in terrorism-related cases.

The latest convictions follow an earlier mass trial in April, during which the Federal High Court in Abuja convicted 386 suspected terrorists over four days.

Those convicted received varying prison sentences, ranging from five years to life imprisonment, depending on the severity of their offences.

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, disclosed the outcome of the exercise at the time, stating that 508 defendants had been arraigned before 10 courts.

Fagbemi told journalists after the conclusion of the proceedings that eight defendants had been discharged, while two others were acquitted of the charges against them.