Court Jails Two Boko Haram Members for Life in Abuja

A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced two men arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) to life imprisonment for their membership of the proscribed Boko Haram terrorist group.

The convicts, Abba Mustapha and Bukar Ibrahim, both from Borno State, were sentenced after pleading guilty to charges bordering on membership of the terrorist organisation, providing support for its activities, and concealing information about the group.

The presiding judge, Justice Salim Ibrahim, sentenced each defendant to life imprisonment on the first count and 20 years’ imprisonment 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 in Abuja.

The exercise, which commenced on Thursday, is being conducted simultaneously across several courtrooms as part of ongoing efforts to prosecute suspected members and associates of terrorist organisations.

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 suspects were listed for proceedings before Justice Ibrahim, while another 25 were scheduled to appear before Justice Lifu.