Precious Nwonu, Enugu

The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced two men to life imprisonment each for supporting the proscribed Boko Haram terrorist group, with an additional 20-year jail term imposed on each convict for concealing information.

Justice Salim Ibrahim handed down the sentences after the defendants, Abba Mustapha and 41-year-old Bukar Ibrahim, pleaded guilty to the charges against them.

Both men are from Borno State. Mustapha hails from Bori village, while Ibrahim is also a native of the state.

The court found them guilty of providing logistical support to Boko Haram and concealing information relating to the group.

Justice Ibrahim sentenced each defendant to life imprisonment on the first count and a further 20 years on the second count.

The judgment was delivered during the Federal Government’s latest round of mass trials involving suspected terrorists at the Federal High Court.

The proceedings, which began on Thursday, are being conducted across several courtrooms, with Justices Salim Ibrahim, James Omotosho, Binta Nyako, Emeka Nwite, Obiora Egwuatu, Hauwa Yilwa, Joyce Abdulmalik and Peter Lifu among the judges handling cases.

At least 34 defendants were listed for proceedings before Justice Ibrahim, while 25 others were scheduled to appear before Justice Lifu.

The Federal Government announced in July that it would resume the prosecution of individuals accused of terrorism and other serious offences against the Nigerian state.

According to the government, the exercise is intended to promote social justice and ensure transparent administration of criminal proceedings.

The trials are being coordinated by the Complex Casework Group of the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation in collaboration with relevant stakeholders under the supervision of the National Counter Terrorism Centre in the Office of the National Security Adviser.

The government previously disclosed that more than 300 suspects were facing trial in the exercise, with multiple judges assigned to expedite proceedings.

In April, the Federal High Court in Abuja convicted 386 defendants during another phase of mass terrorism trials. The convicts received sentences ranging from five years’ imprisonment to life terms, depending on the offences involved.

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, said 508 defendants had been arraigned before 10 courts during that exercise. He added that eight defendants were discharged, while two were acquitted.