The Federal High Court in Abuja has convicted and sentenced four men to prison for supplying goods to Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State.
The convicts Shehu Bukar, Hamzat Yahuza, Hamatu Modu, and Isah Ali were found guilty of aiding terrorism through the supply of food, livestock, drugs, and information.
Presiding judge, Binta Nyako, delivered the sentences in separate rulings on Tuesday.
Bukar, a father of three, received a 20-year jail term after admitting to selling goats to insurgents. The court dismissed his plea for leniency after he changed his plea to guilty on one count.
Yahuza, who has six children, was sentenced to seven years in prison for supplying cannabis and cigarettes to terrorists operating in Monguno LGA. The court ruled that his sentence would take effect from the date of his arrest.
Modu was handed a 40-year sentence after being convicted on four counts of supplying food and intelligence to insurgents. However, the court ordered the terms to run concurrently, meaning he will serve 10 years.
Ali, another supplier of food to the group, was sentenced to 10 years in prison, with three years already spent in detention deducted from his term.
Justice Nyako also directed that all four convicts undergo rehabilitation and deradicalisation programmes after serving their sentences.
The trial forms part of the ongoing mass prosecution of terrorism suspects. Lateef Fagbemi, attorney-general of the federation, said phase nine of the exercise has commenced, with over 500 suspects expected to face trial.
According to him, the proceedings being held in Abuja instead of Kainji due to logistical challenges will continue through the week with multiple judges handling cases simultaneously.
