The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced three convicted terrorists to death by hanging, while handing life imprisonment and lengthy jail terms to three others after they pleaded guilty to various terrorism-related offences.
The convictions were secured in separate proceedings before Justices James Omotosho, Salim Ibrahim and Emeka Nwite as the Federal Government continues the prosecution of terrorism cases.
Before Justice Omotosho, 33-year-old Danladi Lawal, also known as Dankawu, pleaded guilty to a five-count charge bordering on terrorism, kidnapping and receiving ransom proceeds.
The court sentenced Lawal to 30 years’ imprisonment on count one, 15 years on count two, life imprisonment on count three, death by hanging on count four, and life imprisonment on count five.
“May God have mercy on you,” Justice Omotosho told the convict while delivering the sentence.
According to the charge filed by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), Lawal and others still at large abducted an elderly man in Maikaho village, Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State, in 2020 and held him captive for four days while demanding a ransom of ₦950,000.
The prosecution said the act intimidated members of the public and created fear and insecurity in the community, contrary to the provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention Amendment) Act, 2013.
Lawal was also convicted for receiving ₦450,000, being part of the ransom paid for the victim’s release.
In a separate trial, Justice Salim Ibrahim sentenced Abdullahi Mohammed and Mohammed Gulama Shaibu to death by hanging after both men pleaded guilty to terrorism charges.
While Mohammed was convicted on a one-count charge, Shaibu received the death sentence on the first count and life imprisonment on the second count.
The judge also sentenced Mohammed Dezami Sherife to life imprisonment on counts two, six and eight of a 10-count charge after he admitted guilt.
Also, Justice Omotosho sentenced Shamsudeen Muhammad Ibrahim, also known as Abu Harira, to life imprisonment for supporting the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) by receiving terrorist training and ideological indoctrination.
The court further imposed a 35-year prison sentence for failing to disclose information relating to the activities of ISWAP and Ansaru, contrary to the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
In another ruling, Justice Emeka Nwite sentenced Lawi Abubakar Mohammed to 20 years’ imprisonment on each of two terrorism-related counts, bringing his total sentence to 40 years as the terms are to run consecutively.
The court ordered that the sentence should commence from the date of his arrest. Justice Nwite also directed that the convict undergo rehabilitation and deradicalisation before being released at the completion of his prison term.
The judgments form part of the Federal Government’s ongoing terrorism trials aimed at prosecuting individuals accused of terrorism, kidnapping and related offences across the country.
