Two Borno men receive life terms for aiding Boko Haram in Abuja court

The Federal High Court in Abuja handed down life sentences to two men from Borno State for providing assistance to the proscribed Boko Haram insurgency. The defendants, identified as Abba Mustapha and Bukar Ibrahim, had been detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) prior to the trial.

Justice Salim Ibrahim presided over the hearing and, after the pair admitted guilt to offences relating to membership of the terrorist organisation, provision of logistical support and concealment of information, imposed a primary sentence of life imprisonment. A subsidiary count attracted an additional term of 20 years for each defendant.

The rulings were delivered during the latest phase of the federal government’s mass‑trial programme, which resumed earlier in the week across several courtrooms. The exercise aims to process a large number of individuals alleged to have links with terrorist groups, signalling the administration’s intent to treat terrorism with severity. According to the Attorney‑General and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, the prosecutions are intended to convey a clear message that the state will not tolerate such activities.

The trial roster listed at least 34 suspects before Justice Ibrahim and a further 25 before Justice Peter Lifu, reflecting the scale of the ongoing judicial effort. Other judges involved in the proceedings include James Omotosho, Binta Nyako, Emeka Nwite, Obiora Egwuatu, Hauwa Yilwa and Joyce Abdulmalik.

The convictions follow a broader crackdown that saw over 600 individuals charged in June for alleged terrorist affiliations. The government has framed the mass trials as part of a commitment to social justice and transparency, aligning the process with international criminal justice standards.

While the two men received the maximum custodial penalties for the primary charge, the additional 20‑year terms underscore the seriousness with which the courts view ancillary offences such as the concealment of insurgent whereabouts. The outcomes are expected to serve as a deterrent to others who might consider providing material or informational support to Boko Haram.

The sentencing marks a significant development in Nigeria’s ongoing fight against terrorism, illustrating the judiciary’s role in enforcing anti‑terrorism legislation and reinforcing the federal government’s broader security strategy.