Court sentences terrorism convicts to 20 years, life imprisonment

Our correspondent reports that while several of the defendants were convicted and handed 20-year sentences on each count to run concurrently, one of the convicts was sentenced to life imprisonment in addition to the sentence of 20 years on five counts relating to rendering support to terrorists.

Our correspondent reports that the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, who led the prosecution team informed the court that the minimum sentence for each count of terrorism related offence was 20 years imprisonment, while the maximum penalty was life imprisonment.

He, however, said that the court could order that the sentences commence from the date of the defendants’ arrest.

All those convicted so far pleaded guilty on arraignment and pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy.

Their offences ranged from knowingly receiving traning on handling AK47 rifles and supplying food, cloths and drugs to ISWAP, a proscribed terrorists organisation.

Other offences are attacking military personnel and burning their vehicle as well as supplying fuel and scrap to terrorists.

The mass trial of the suspected terrorists, which usually holds in Kainji, Niger, was relocated to Abuja due to the court’s ongoing Easter vacation.

Our correspondent reports that most courtrooms at the Abuja division of the court were engaged in trying the suspected terrorists.

Some of the presiding judges included Justices Binta Nyako, Emeka Nwite and Obiora Egwuatu, among others.

Some of the defendants listed before Justice Nyako are Abubakar Ali, Hamat Modu, Isah Ali, Awal Bello and Shehu Bukar.

Those before Justice Nwite include Gonni Alhaji, Mallam Yana, Mohammed Hassan and Tasiu Yakubu among others.