Court Sentences Boko Haram Member To Death Over 2015 Borno Attack

The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Friday, sentenced a Boko Haram member, Alkali Yarima, also known as La’ari, to death by hanging for participating in the 2015 attacks on Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

Justice James Omotosho delivered the judgement, sentencing Yarima to death on the terrorism charge relating to the Maiduguri attack. The court also handed him life imprisonment on count six for receiving arms and weapons training in preparation for committing acts of terrorism.

In addition, the judge sentenced the convict to 35-year imprisonment on count one and 30 years on count five. He was also handed 10-year imprisonment on each of counts two, three and four.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Federal Government arraigned Yarima on a seven-count charge in a case marked FHC/KNJ/CR/971/2026.

The charges were filed on May 29 by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF), Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN.

According to the charge, Yarima, of Lawanti Area in Mafa Local Government Area of Borno State, professed membership of the proscribed Boko Haram terrorist group between 2009 and 2015, when he was arrested.

The prosecution alleged that he accepted the “Da’awah” of Boko Haram founder, Mohammed Yusuf, an offence punishable under Section 16(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention Amendment) Act, 2013.

On count six, for which he received a life sentence, the court found that Yarima engaged in preparations for terrorist acts by travelling to an Arab country to receive training in arms and weapon handling. The offence is contrary to Section 21 of the Terrorism (Prevention Amendment) Act, 2013.

The death sentence followed his conviction on count seven, which accused him of committing acts of terrorism by participating in the attacks on Maiduguri in 2015. The offence is punishable under Section 2(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention Amendment) Act, 2013.

The trial, which initially conducted at Kainji in Niger State, was concluded at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Speaking after the judgement, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, who led the Federal Government’s prosecution team, reiterated the government’s commitment to combating terrorism.

“We will fight with every inch of our blood to ensure that we make Nigeria a safe place for everybody,” the minister stated.