The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has sentenced four terrorists, who participated in Boko Haram attacks in parts of Borno between 2021 and 2024, to life imprisonment. 

Justice James Omotosho handed down the judgment after the convicts pleaded guilty to the charges preferred against them by the Federal Government, and a witness from the Department of State Services (DSS) gave evidence accordingly. 

The judge, on Tuesday, also convicted and sentenced 14 others to different jail terms, ranging from 20 to 25 years in each of the counts filed against them. 

Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), led the Federal Government’s lawyers, including Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), and Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, in the proceedings. 

Confessional statements of the convicts and their investigation reports were tendered by the prosecution through the DSS witness and were admitted in evidence and marked as exhibits. 

The convicts, who bagged life imprisonment, include Ali Abiso, Bakura Abah Kabiru, Ado (a.k.a Luka Garba) and Babagoni Masawai. 

Justice Omotosho, who sentenced Abiso to life imprisonment in counts two and four, committed him to 25 years jail term in each of counts one and three, totalling 50 years. 

The judge, however, directed that the sentencing in counts one and three must run concurrently. 

In count four, the convict, a 30-year-old man from Bama Local Council of Borno State, was alleged to have, on or before July 8, 2022, aided and participated in Boko Haram attacks carried out in Bama, Gwoza, Konduga, Bita, Baza and Aulari.

The offence, the prosecution said, was contrary to Section 17 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. 

Also, Bakura Abah Kabiru, who actively participated in the terror group’s activities, was sentenced to life imprisonment in count two and given a 25-year jail term in each of counts one and three. 

For Ado (a.k.a Luka Garba), the judge committed him to life imprisonment in count two and 25 years in count one. 

Babagoni Masawai was sentenced to life in jail in counts six and seven; 20 years’ imprisonment in counts one and two, while the judge committed him to 10 years in each of counts three, four and five. 

Justice Omotosho equally sentenced 14 other convicts to various jail terms.