- A Federal High Court sentenced three terrorism convicts to life imprisonment
- The men pleaded guilty to terrorism-related offences and concealing information
- The court ordered that their sentences begin from the date of their arrest
The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced three men linked to the abduction of students and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State to life imprisonment.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that Justice Salim Ibrahim ruled that the life sentences imposed on Abdulrazak Umar, also known as Abu Khalifa or Abu Khalid, Yunusa Musa, also called Yunusa Bin Musa, and Shamsu Adamu Sani, alias Abu Itisar, will take effect from the date of their arrest.
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Before sentencing, defence counsel appealed for leniency, arguing that the convicts were first-time offenders who admitted their guilt and showed remorse for their actions.
The lawyer also told the court that the three men were family heads with children and elderly parents who depended on them, urging the judge to give them an opportunity for rehabilitation.
However, the prosecution opposed the request, arguing that the defendants failed in their duty to report information about terrorist activities despite being aware of those involved.
The convicts pleaded guilty to belonging to a proscribed terrorist organisation and to concealing information relating to the planning and execution of the school abduction.
In addition, Abdulrazak Umar admitted to four separate charges involving the training of terrorist members, issuing operational instructions and promoting extremist religious ideology.
The Department of State Services (DSS) had arraigned the three men on a 10-count charge bordering on terrorism, kidnapping and concealment of information.
According to the prosecution, the defendants, who are from Niger State, knowingly withheld intelligence on terrorist activities, participated in the kidnapping operation and used a messaging platform to support terrorist training and coordination.
Following their guilty pleas and consideration of the submissions from both parties, the court sentenced the three convicts to life imprisonment.
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