Abuja Terrorism Trials: Three Convicts Sentenced to Death, Two Get Life Imprisonment
The Federal High Court in Abuja has handed down death sentences to three convicted terrorists and imposed life imprisonment on two others as the Federal Government continues the prosecution of terrorism-related cases under the ongoing “Abuja model” trial framework.
The convictions followed guilty pleas entered by the defendants to charges brought against them by the Federal Government through the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).
Justice James Omotosho sentenced 33-year-old Danladi Lawal, popularly known as Dankawu, to death by hanging after he pleaded guilty to a five-count terrorism charge. The court also sentenced him to 30 years imprisonment on count one, 15 years on count two, and life imprisonment on counts three and five.
Lawal, a native of Maikaho village in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State, was found guilty of participating in the 2020 abduction of an elderly man who was held in a forest hideout in Ilela for four days while kidnappers demanded a ransom of N950,000 from his family. He was also convicted for receiving N450,000 from the ransom proceeds.
In separate proceedings before Justice Salim Ibrahim, Abdullahi Mohammed and Mohammed Gulama Shaibu were also sentenced to death by hanging after admitting to terrorism-related offences. Shaibu received an additional life sentence on a second count.
Another defendant, Mohammed Dezami Sherife, was sentenced to life imprisonment on three counts after pleading guilty to charges contained in a 10-count information.
Justice Omotosho further convicted Shamsudeen Muhammad Ibrahim, also known as Abu Harira, sentencing him to life imprisonment for supporting the activities of ISWAP through terrorist training and ideological indoctrination. He was also handed a 35-year prison term for failing to report information about ISWAP and Ansaru activities to security agencies.
In a related case, Justice Emeka Nwite sentenced Lawi Abubakar Mohammed to 20 years imprisonment on each of two counts after he pleaded guilty. The court ordered that the sentences run consecutively, bringing the total jail term to 40 years.
Justice Nwite further directed that Mohammed undergo rehabilitation and deradicalisation programmes before he can be reintegrated into society upon completion of his sentence.
The judgments mark another milestone in the Federal Government’s efforts to combat terrorism and prosecute individuals linked to extremist activities across the country.
