Two Boko Haram supporters bag life jail

Two men from Borno State have been sentenced to life imprisonment and an additional 20 years each by Justice Salim Ibrahim of the Federal High Court in Abuja. The defendants, Abba Mustapha and Bukar Ibrahim, pleaded guilty to charges of providing logistical support to the proscribed terrorist group Boko Haram and concealing information.

The sentencing was the latest phase in the Federal Government's mass trials of suspected terrorists at the court, which began on Thursday and is ongoing across multiple courtrooms. Justice Ibrahim presided over at least 34 defendants, while Justice Lifu handled 25. The trials, announced in July, aim to promote social justice through a transparent judicial process in line with international criminal justice standards.

Over 300 suspects face trial, with five judges presiding over five specialized courts. The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, reported that 508 defendants had been arraigned across 10 courts in April, with eight discharged and two acquitted.