Three defendants received prison sentences in separate terrorism-related proceedings before the Federal High Court in Abuja, following guilty pleas to charges brought by the federal government.
Justice Hawa Yilwa sentenced Sunday Frank to 40 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to supplying information on security personnel’s movements to the late Benue militia leader Terwase Akwaza, widely known as Gana. Other charges, including allegations relating to abductions, were withdrawn and struck out after Frank denied them. The court directed that the sentence run from his arrest and that he undergo rehabilitation and deradicalization after imprisonment.
In another case, Justice Binta Nyako sentenced Ali Shaban Hamma to ten years after he admitted failing to report and providing protection to Boko Haram members in his community in Borno State. The judge ordered the sentence to run from the date he was taken into custody in 2012, according to the court account.
Justice Yilwa also sentenced Paul Okechukwu, 48, to 20 years after he pleaded guilty to membership of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra. A separate charge alleging involvement in an attack that killed security personnel was withdrawn after he denied it. The court directed that his sentence be calculated from his arrest date and ordered post-sentence rehabilitation.
Attorney-General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi led the prosecutions. The distinctions between the charges admitted, those withdrawn and the sentences imposed are important: the withdrawn allegations did not result in convictions in these proceedings.
