A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has sentenced five men, including a citizen of the Republic of Niger, to 25 years imprisonment each after finding them guilty of terrorism-related offences.
The judgment was delivered on Thursday by Justice Binta Nyako following the defendants’ guilty plea to a four-count charge filed against them by the Department of State Services (DSS).
The convicts were identified as Yusuf Mohammed, also known as Bature; Goni Ibrahim Bindi, popularly called Goni Mutuwa; Sani Tulur, known as Danladi; Mubarak Ibrahim; and Musa Alhaji Adamu, also referred to as Gado Banufe.
Following their admission of guilt, the prosecution sought the court’s approval to present evidence recovered during investigations.
The prosecution submitted a forwarding letter alongside an investigation report and statements obtained from the defendants. It also tendered 15 AK-103 rifles with magazines and 1,434 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition. Defence counsel did not oppose the application.
Justice Nyako admitted the exhibits and subsequently convicted the defendants.
Before sentencing, the court allowed each of the convicts to address it in mitigation.
The prosecution further requested the forfeiture of a Volkswagen vehicle allegedly used to transport the weapons and ammunition.
In her ruling, Justice Nyako held that the prosecution had established its case and found the defendants guilty on all applicable counts.
She imposed a 25-year prison term on all five convicts on the first count.
On the second and third counts, the third, fourth and fifth defendants received additional seven-year jail terms each, while the first defendant was sentenced to another 25 years on the fourth count.
The court ordered that all sentences run concurrently and take effect from the date of arrest.
Justice Nyako also directed that the convicts serve their prison terms in correctional facilities designated by the Minister of Interior.
In addition, all arms, ammunition and other exhibits recovered during the investigation were ordered forfeited to the Federal Government.
According to the charge, the defendants allegedly conspired between April 23 and April 24 to assist terrorist activities by facilitating the transportation of 15 AK-103 rifles and approximately 1,434 rounds of ammunition from the Diffa Region of the Republic of Niger to one Malam Ahmad.
Investigators identified Ahmad as a member of the Boko Haram insurgent group operating in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
The offences were said to contravene Section 26(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, among other provisions. The conviction underscores ongoing efforts by security agencies and the judiciary to curb terrorism financing, logistics and arms trafficking within the country.