A Federal High Court delivered convictions to four individuals identified as financiers of the Boko Haram terrorist group. The court session, held on Monday, saw Modu Aisami, Zana Zarama, Umar Mohammed Bunu Kame pleading guilty to charges brought against them by the Federal Government (FG).
The trial, conducted at Dawaki in Abuja, involved the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, leading the FG’s legal team, while the defense was headed by F. A. Bakre, the Director of the Criminal Justice Department at the Legal Aid Council (LAC).
The charges included allegations that Aisami provided funds to the terrorist group by purchasing food products, with knowledge that the proceeds would be used for terrorist activities, a violation of Section 13(1)(a)(ii) of the Terrorism Provision Amendment Act, 2013.
Following their guilty pleas, Justice Binta Nyako and Justice Emeka Nwite presided over the case, with Justice Nyako delivering the verdict. Aisami was convicted on counts 2 and 3, receiving a 20-year prison sentence for each offense, to run concurrently. Zarama, convicted for concealing the identity of a Boko Haram member, Modu Sulum, was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment. The terms were directed to commence from the day the convicts were arrested and remanded in custody.
In a separate judgment, Justice Nwite convicted Mohammed and Kame, each receiving a 10-year prison sentence. Although the trial was held in camera, details of the proceedings were made available to the public by the AGF through his Special Assistant Communication & Publicity, Mr. Kamarudeen Ogundele. This development underscores the government’s commitment to combating terrorism and holding individuals accountable for their support to such groups.
