12 to die by hanging as SSS secures convictions in terrorism trials

Twelve defendants have been sentenced to death by hanging while many others were handed long prison terms in terrorism and kidnapping cases prosecuted by the State Security Service (SSS), court documents reviewed by PREMIUM TIMES have shown.

Those condemned to death were convicted of terrorism, conspiracy, kidnapping, murder, arms trafficking and aiding terrorist groups.

A highlight of the development is the 3 June sentence by the Federal High Court of Idris Omeiza, Alqasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik and Abdulhaleem Idris to death by hanging over the 5 June 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State.

Dozens of other defendants received sentences ranging from two years to life imprisonment in the terrorism trials held between 15 and 18 June and in different judgments delivered by the federal and state high courts.

The SSS charged the convicts with offences including terrorism, membership of Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), rendering support to terrorist organisations, gun running, concealment of information and terrorism financing.

12 death sentences

Among those convicted during the June 15 to 18 mass trials, Abdullahi Mohammed Mustapha received the death sentence after being convicted on terrorism charges.

The remaining convicts received various prison terms depending on the offences established before the court.

Several of those convicted were found guilty of membership of Boko Haram or the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), while others were convicted for providing material support to terrorist groups, concealing information, gun running or participating in terrorist activities.

Long prison terms

The stiffest custodial sentence in the trials was imposed on Inuwa Bala, who was sentenced to 50 years’ imprisonment for gun running.

Saleh Idris was sentenced to 45 years for membership of Boko Haram.

Rabiu Umar and Ndukwe Iroha Kalu each received 40-year prison terms, although for different offences. Mr Umar was convicted of rendering support to terrorists, while Mr Kalu was convicted for membership of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Shamsudeen Ibrahim received 35 years’ imprisonment for rendering support to terrorists.

Other lengthy sentences included:

The court documents further show that some prison terms commenced from the dates of arrest of the convicts, while others were to run concurrently where defendants were convicted on multiple counts.

One of the defendants, Abel Ugwuoke, was sentenced to 20 years on several counts and life imprisonment on two additional counts, according to the judgement.

READ ALSO: Terrorism Financing: Nigeria welcomes US sanctions on Lagos-based BDC operator, firms

IPOB-related convictions

The documents also show convictions involving offences linked to IPOB.

Among those convicted were:

Convictions over ammonium nitrate

Two defendants were also convicted of concealing information relating to the sale of ammonium nitrate.