Court Sentences Two Boko Haram Members to Life Imprisonment

By Micheal Chukwuebuka

A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced two men to life imprisonment for their membership of the prescribed Boko Haram terrorist group.

The defendants, Abba Mustapha and Bukar Ibrahim, both from Borno State, were arrested by the Department of State Services, DSS.

They were sentenced after pleading guilty to charges bordering on membership of the terrorist group, providing support for its activities and concealing information about the group’s operations.

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, which began on Thursday and are being conducted across several courtrooms.

Other judges handling 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 Salim Ibrahim, while 25 others were listed before Justice Peter Lifu.