The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced four members of the Boko Haram terrorist group to life imprisonment.
Justice James Omotosho delivered the judgment after the defendants pleaded guilty to the charges brought against them by the Federal Government. Their confessional statements and investigation reports, presented through a witness from the Department of State Services (DSS), were admitted as evidence.
On Tuesday, the court also convicted 14 additional defendants, imposing various prison terms ranging from 20 to 25 years on each count.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, led the Federal Government’s legal team, which included the Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN.
Those sentenced to life imprisonment are Ali Abiso, Bakura Abah Kabiru, Ado (also known as Luka Garba), and Babagoni Masawai.
In case number FHC/KNJ/CR/509/2026, Abiso was the sole defendant. After pleading guilty to all four counts, Justice Omotosho sentenced him to life imprisonment on counts two and four, and 25 years each on counts one and three. The 25‑year terms will run concurrently.
The judge held that Abiso’s guilty plea aligned with his confessional statement, concluding that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt.
Count four alleged that the 30‑year‑old from Bama LGA, Borno State, aided and participated in Boko Haram attacks across Bama, Gwoza, Konduga, Bita, Baza, and Aulari before July 8, 2022—an offence under Section 17 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Kabiru received life imprisonment on count two and 25 years each on counts one and three. Ado (a.k.a. Luka Garba) was sentenced to life on count two and 25 years on count one. Masawai received life sentences on counts six and seven, 20 years each on counts one and two, and 10 years each on counts three, four, and five.
Justice Omotosho also sentenced 14 other defendants to various terms after they pleaded guilty. Among them, Ali Mustapha received 20 years on count one and 10 years each on counts two through seven, to run concurrently following a plea for leniency.
Other convicted individuals include Danbawa Salisu, Modu Ali, Sanda Bello, Mustapha Fali, Modu Musa, Bidal Modu, Mohammed Abdullahi, Umar Garba, Usman Ahmadu, Hussaini Bukar, Baba Manye, Musa Mai Modu, and Ali Musa.
