Federal Government Secures Conviction Of 5 Terror Suspects

The Federal Government has secured the conviction of five terrorism suspects for supplying arms and ammunition to members of the Boko Haram terrorist group in Niger State, following a successful prosecution before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The development was disclosed in a statement shared on Facebook on Friday by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF), Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, who said the convictions were secured after the defendants were found guilty of offences relating to terrorism, illegal arms trafficking and support for Boko Haram activities.

According to the statement, the prosecution team, led by Oyedepo alongside lawyers from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, secured the conviction of Yusuf Muhammad, also known as Bature; Goni Ibrahim Bindi, also known as Goni Mutuwa; Sani Tukur, also known as Danladi; Mubarak Ibrahim; and Musa Alhaji Adamu, also known as Gado Banufe.

The DPPF said the defendants were prosecuted on charges including conspiracy to render assistance to a terrorist, rendering support for the commission of acts of terrorism, unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, and failure to disclose information on a known terrorist.

Giving details of the offences, Oyedepo said the convicts played various roles in transporting weapons and ammunition intended for a Boko Haram operative.

“The defendants conspired to render assistance to a terrorist by agreeing and intentionally playing various roles in the transportation of fifteen (15) AK-103 rifles and 1,434 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition from the Diffa Region of the Republic of Niger to one Malam Ahmad, a member of the Boko Haram terrorist group operating in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.

“The defendants rendered support for the commission of acts of terrorism by conveying fifteen (15) AK-103 rifles and 1,434 rounds of live ammunition on behalf of a Boko Haram terrorist operative, thereby facilitating terrorist activities,” Oyedepo stated.

According to the DPPF, the firearms and ammunition were concealed in sacks of dried fish and transported in a vehicle bearing Republic of Niger registration number BT 9990 DA.

“The defendants were found in possession of fifteen (15) AK-103 rifles and 1,434 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition concealed in sacks containing dried fish and transported in a vehicle bearing Republic of Niger registration number BT 9990 DA along the Kano-Kaduna Expressway,” he said.

Oyedepo said Muhammad “knowingly withheld information capable of assisting law enforcement agencies in the apprehension, prosecution, or conviction of Malam Ahmad, a known terrorist allegedly operating within the Gandu Forest area of Borgu Local Government Area, Niger State.”

Following the presentation of evidence and the conclusion of the trial, Justice Binta Nyako found the defendants guilty and sentenced them accordingly.

According to the DPPF, each of the convicts received 25 years imprisonment on Counts 1, 2 and 4, seven years imprisonment on Count 3, and 20 years imprisonment on Count 5.

“The Court ordered that all sentences shall run concurrently,” the statement noted.

The court also ordered the forfeiture of the recovered weapons and ammunition linked to the offences.

Describing the judgement as a significant breakthrough in the country’s counter-terrorism efforts, the DPPF said the convictions demonstrated the Federal Government’s commitment to dismantling terrorist networks and prosecuting those who aid them.

“The judgment marks another significant success in Nigeria’s fight against terrorism and transnational arms trafficking. It also reflects the unwavering commitment of the Federal Ministry of Justice, under the leadership of the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, to ensuring that persons who support, finance, facilitate, or participate in terrorist activities are brought to justice,” the statement said.

The DPPF further reaffirmed its resolve to continue pursuing offenders through lawful and diligent prosecution.