The Federal High Court in Abuja has convicted and sentenced 11 Boko Haram terrorists to various jail terms ranging from 60 to 40 years imprisonment on offences that were brought under the Terrorism Prohibition and Prevention) Act.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu, who convicted the suspects, however, said their sentences will run concurrently commencing from the date of their arrest.
Those sentenced to various jail terms are Musa Mustapha; Ali Mohammed; Babagana Ali; Abacha Abba; Ali Abbagana Umar; Kadi Agwala; Yahaya Umara; Alhaji Ari; Goni Mustapha; Ali Modu and Alhaji Fannaya.
Justice Egwuatu ordered that the convicts be rehabilitated and de-radicalized after serving their various jail terms.
They were docked on various count charges among which are belonging to a proscribed organization known as the Boko Haram sect and rendering materials and logistics support to members of the group.
The convicts were sentenced upon their confession to the offences in open court as well as in their extra judicial statements.
Justice Egwuatu, in handing down their various jail terms, held that court is allowed to summarily convict the defendants upon an admission of quilt without calling on the prosecution to prove his case.
The Judge added that the court can convict an accused upon his confessional statement.
In the case of Alhaji Fannaya, a Boko Haram member from Bama Local Government Area of Borno State, he was convicted and sentenced to 20 years on each of the four-count charge against him.
This was after he pleaded to four out of the five count charges.
Abacha Abba, a confessed Boko Haram member from Dikwa Local Government Area of Borno, was convicted and sentenced to 20 years on each of the three- count charges including conveying weapons to members of the sect and receiving training instructions on weapon handling.
On his part, Ali Babagana Umar was convicted and sentenced to 20 years on each of the two-counts charges including rendering support to Boko Haram members.
Kadi Agwala of Dikwa Local Government Area of Borno State, was sentenced and convicted to 20 years on each of the two-counts for rendering support to members of Boko Haram.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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