Former senate hopeful sentenced to decade-long prison term for fueling Boko Haram operations

A former senatorial candidate in Borno State, Babagana Habeeb, was handed a 10-year prison sentence on Friday for his role in selling petrol to Boko Haram terrorists, a conviction that stemmed from a one-count charge of aiding and abetting terrorism.

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Habeeb, who ran in the 2015 election, was found guilty by the Federal High Court in Abuja, with Trial Justice Peter Lifu ruling that the Federal Government had presented a solid case against him.

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As a fuel dealer in Maiduguri, Borno State, Habeeb acknowledged in court that insurgents had indeed obtained fuel from his station, although he claimed that the sales were carried out by his attendants.

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Throughout the proceedings, Habeeb knelt before the court, pleading for leniency as he revealed that he had two wives and six children who depended on him for support.

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Habeeb also shared that he had been unable to see or communicate with his family members for over 10 years while in detention, a fact that he hoped would be taken into consideration.

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However, the prosecution counsel, Mr. David Kaswe from the Federal Ministry of Justice, opposed Habeeb's plea for leniency, arguing that the logistical support he provided to terrorists had resulted in the loss of lives and destruction of properties.

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Kaswe pushed for a 20-year jail term, emphasizing that Boko Haram's ability to launch attacks and escape relied heavily on their access to fuel supplies, which Habeeb had helped facilitate.

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In his judgment, Justice Lifu noted that there was no evidence to suggest that Habeeb was a Boko Haram member or had received any weapons training, and that the sole accusation against him was the sale of fuel to the terrorists.

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Justice Lifu also acknowledged that the Federal Government did not dispute Habeeb's claim of having spent 10 years in pre-trial detention, a factor that influenced his decision to sentence Habeeb to 10 years' imprisonment, effective from the date of his arrest and detention.

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The court ultimately ordered Habeeb's release upon the signing of his release warrant, with the condition that he would undergo extensive rehabilitation.