A Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday jailed 5 Boko Haram convicts for up to 20 years, because the Federal Government launched the ninth section of its mass trial of 500 suspects, with judges giving up their Easter vacation to hold the method going.
Justice M. O. Olajuwon despatched one Babagana Umar to DSS custody after he denied supplying spare elements and firewood to Boko Haram in Sambisa Forest in 2022, and failing to report the group’s actions to safety businesses.
His case was adjourned to the following sitting.
Before the identical decide, Yusuf Abacha was sentenced to 20 years after admitting to being a Boko Haram member, hiding details about a fellow member, and collaborating in assaults.
“I hereby sentence him to 20 years imprisonment on each count, to run concurrently, and he is to be rehabilitated and de-radicalised after serving his term,” Justice Olajuwon dominated.
Four extra convictions have been recorded earlier than Justice Binta Nyako.
Shehu Bukar bought the heaviest sentence, 20 years, for supplying cattle and goats to Boko Haram.
The decide referred to as his offence “so gruesome” and turned down appeals for a lighter sentence.
Isa Ali and Auwal Bello every bought 10 years, Ali for offering logistical assist, and Bello for dealing with terror funds, together with exchanging about N750,000 and paying N20,000 to the group.
A fourth defendant additionally obtained 10 years for membership, materials assist, and managing funds linked to the group.
All convicts have been ordered to endure rehabilitation and de-radicalisation after serving their phrases, with the Ministry of Interior to assign their correctional services.
Attorney General Lateef Fagbemi mentioned 227 of the five hundred suspects appeared in court docket on the primary day, with 10 judges sitting on the identical time to pace issues up.
“Don’t forget this is an Easter period. Ordinarily, the judges are not supposed to be here… but they have been so patriotic and they have put their service to the nation,” he mentioned, including the section ought to be executed by Friday or (*20*).
The suspects are accused of involvement in assaults throughout northern Nigeria that killed greater than 2,000 individuals, in addition to financing terrorism and supplying arms, meals, and different supplies to the group.
Fagbemi mentioned the trials have been moved to Abuja for comfort and harassed they have been being held brazenly.
“It is in the open. It’s not a secret trial. You will see where confessions are made, where proof is given. Everything is in the public glare,” he mentioned, with observers from Amnesty International, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, and the Nigerian Bar Association current.
Legal Aid Council Director-General Aliu Bagudu Abubakar mentioned many suspects made the defence’s job simpler by admitting to the costs, and confirmed that one or two have been discharged and acquitted.
“For somebody who has been in detention for four, five years… to be acquitted, it shows that the trial has some level of transparency,” he mentioned.
Security was tight across the court docket, with suspects introduced in vehicles below heavy guard by DSS, police, and military personnel. Trials proceed on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.
