Court Sentences Self-Confessed Boko Haram Member To 30 Years In Prison

Justice Nyako Orders Sentence To Run From 2016 Arrest, Directs Interior Ministry To Choose Prison

By Henryrich Ojo | Newsworld

A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced Abubakar Goni, a self-confessed member of the Boko Haram terrorist group, to 30 years in prison after he admitted knowingly belonging to the organisation.

Elon Musk Unveils Tesla Roadster That Jumps Into Air Using Jets

Justice Binta Nyako handed down the sentence on Friday, ruling that the jail term would run from 2016, when the Department of State Services (DSS) arrested and detained him. Goni, who reportedly hails from Daira village in Gubi Local Government Area of Yobe State, had been in custody since his arrest.

The Federal Government had filed a five-count charge against Goni, accusing him of belonging to Boko Haram, receiving training in the use of AK-47 rifles, attacking civilians, looting food to feed members of the group and participating in attacks on communities in Niger Republic.

However, when the charges were read to him, Goni admitted membership of the terrorist organisation but denied the other allegations. Following his admission, the court invoked Section 16(1) of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2013, to impose the 30-year sentence.

During the proceedings, Goni’s lawyer, Dauda Hassan, urged the court to temper justice with mercy and impose the minimum sentence, arguing that his client had admitted the offence without wasting judicial time.

Justice Nyako also considered that Goni was a first-time offender and ordered that the sentence should count from the date of his arrest in 2016. The judge further directed the Federal Ministry of Interior to determine the correctional facility where he would serve his sentence.