The Federal Government has commenced a mass trial involving over 500 terrorism suspects in Nigeria, even as a Federal High Court in Abuja convicted and sentenced four individuals for supplying items to Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State.
The convicted persons—Shehu Bukar, Hamzat Yahuza, Hamatu Modu, and Isah Ali were arraigned before Justice Binta Nyako for offences bordering on aiding and abetting terrorism.
Bukar, a father of three, was sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to selling goats to Boko Haram members. Initially, he had denied four out of five charges filed against him, but the prosecution later withdrew the remaining counts, leaving him with one charge to which he admitted guilt. Justice Nyako, however, rejected his plea for leniency and handed down the maximum sentence.
In a separate ruling, Yahuza, also a father of six, was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment for selling Indian hemp and cigarettes to insurgents operating in parts of Monguno Local Government Area. He pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting terrorism and appealed for mercy, stating that he supplied illicit drugs to the group.
Another defendant, Modu, received a 40-year sentence after being found guilty on all four counts preferred against him. He had admitted to supplying food items and providing information to Boko Haram members. The court imposed 10 years for each count but ruled that the sentences would run concurrently, meaning he will serve 10 years in total.
Similarly, Ali was sentenced to 10 years in prison for supplying food items to the terrorists. The court deducted the three years he had already spent in detention from his sentence.
Justice Nyako further ordered that all convicts undergo rehabilitation and deradicalisation programmes after completing their jail terms.
The proceedings are part of a wider judicial effort involving multiple judges, including Emeka Nwite, Musa Liman, Akpan Ekerete, and Mobolaji Olajuwon, who are presiding over terrorism-related cases across the country.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, confirmed that the current phase; Phase 9 of the mass trial has commenced, with over 500 suspects scheduled to be tried within the week.
Fagbemi explained that the trials are being conducted in Abuja due to logistical challenges, noting that the use of multiple courtrooms allows several judges to handle cases simultaneously.
“It is our hope that of these 500, we will be able to go very far,” he said.
He added that the trials are open to the public, with confessions and evidence presented in full view to ensure transparency and accountability.
Representatives from the National Legal Aid Council of Nigeria (NLACON), led by Director-General Aliyu Abubakar, represented the defendants during the proceedings.
The trial is expected to continue in the coming days as authorities intensify efforts to prosecute individuals linked to terrorism and dismantle support networks aiding insurgent activities across the country.
