Heavy security as Fed Govt begins trial of 500 terror suspects in Abuja
…father of six bags seven years imprisonment There was a heavy security presence on Tuesday in and around the Federal High Court headquarters in Abuja as the office of the
...father of six bags seven years imprisonment
- From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja
There was a heavy security presence on Tuesday in and around the Federal High Court headquarters in Abuja as the office of the Attorney General of the Federation commenced the prosecution of about 500 terrorism suspects before the court.
As early as 7am, armed soldiers and police personnel had mobilised to the entrance of the court's building, where they stationed about four armoured vehicles.
They were also aided by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), while movements in and out of the court's premises were restricted.
The heavy deployment of security personnel to the court coincided with an event that was held at the Eagle Square, a few distance away.
This resulted the the disruption of free traffic flow on both the Shehu Shagari Way and Ahmadu Bello Way, forcing people to walk long distance.
About 10 judges conducted simultaneous proceedings in different courtrooms within the Federal High Court complex in cases involving about 227 defendants.
The defendants were accused of being involved terrorism activities in the Northern part of the country where more than 2000 people are estimated to have been killed and property destroyed.
Others were accused of aiding and abetting the crime through direct and indirect sponsorship with the provision of funds, arms, ammunition and foodstuffs.
The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) led the prosecuting team, which included the Director of the Public Prosecution of the federation (DPPF), Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN).
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The Director General of the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria (LACN), Aliyu Abubakar led the defence team, which included some private lawyers.
Fagbemi said the Federal Government authorised the mass prosecution, noting that a total of 227 defendants were taken before 10 judges of the court on Tuesday.
The AGF, who hailed the judges for forgoing their Easter vacation to conduct the trial, stated that, as part of the government's commitment to transparency and due process, representatives of groups like Amnesty International, the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), among others are permitted to witness proceedings.
Some of the judges handling the cases are Justices Binta Nyako, Emeka Nwite, Musa Liman and Akpan Ekerete.
Fagbemi conducted the prosecution's case before Justice Nyako, where about 20 defendants featured on the cause list for the day.
The included Hamat Modu, Isah Ali, Awal Bello, Shehu Bukar, Alhaji Kulle,, Mohammed Abacha Hassan, Aminami Mallum, Tasiu Yakubu and Abdullahi Ali.
In one of the cases, Justice Nyako sentenced Madu, described as a major foodstuffs supplier to the Boko Haram terrorists in Borno State, to 10 years imprisonment for his involvement in terrorism activities.
Modu, pleaded guilty to a four-count charge, in which he was accused of supplying food items and information to terrorists.
Based on the defendant's guilty plea and the allocutus made by the defence, Justice Nyako sentenced Madu to 10 years on each of the four counts, which she said should run concurrently.
Also, Isah Ali, equally accused of supplying food items to terrorists in Borno State, was sentenced to 10 years by Justice Nyako after he pleaded guilty to the charge.
The judge however ordered that his sentence should start running from 2023 when he was arrested and detained.
Justice Nyako also sentenced Abdullahii Ali to 20 years imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to a one-count charge.
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Ali was accused of rendering support to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) by assisting members of the group through logistic supply of fuel.
In sentencing the defendant, Justice Nyako said his term shall begin to run from November 20, 2023, the date of his arrest.
A father of three, Sheu Buka equally got20 years imprisonment for selling goats to Boko Haram terrorists in Borno state.
Buka was arraigned on a five-count charge. He pleaded guilty to only count three out of the five counts.
The prosecution then, applied to withdraw the four counts to which he pleaded not guilty and proceeded to pray the court to convict him in relation to counts three.
In her judgment, Justice Nyako said she took note of the defendant's confessional statement, his guilty plea and the investigation report.
The judge declined the plea for leniency made by the convict, and noted that the issue of terrorism has become worrisome in virtually all parts of the country.
Justice Nyako said rendering support to terrorists is a serious offense that must not be condoned.
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She proceeded to convict Bukar and sentenced him to 20 years.
Also, a 40-year old father of six, Hamza Yahuza was sentenced to seven years imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to a one-coubt charge in which he was accused of selling drugs, including indian hemps and cigarettes to Boko Haram terrorists in Borno State.
Yahuza, who admitted committing the offence in 2023 during which he supplied various drugs to the terrorists in parts of Monguno Local Government Area of Borno State.
In her judgment, Justice Nyako rejected his plea for leniency and his claim that he got involved in the crime owing to poverty.
Justice Nyako ordered that his seven years term should begin to run from March 6, 2023 when the convict was arrested.
The judge also ordered that the convicts be made to undergo rehabilitation and deradicalization when they complete their jail terms.
She directed that the Federal Ministry of Interior shall determine where the convicts will serve their jail terms.
Hearing in other cases continue on Wednesday.
