Nigerian Court Hands Down Death Penalty to Boko Haram Militant for 2015 Maiduguri Bombings

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The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday sentenced a Boko Haram member, Alkali Yarima, also known as La’ari, to death by hanging for participating in the attacks on Maiduguri in 2015.

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Justice James Omotosho, in a judgment, also sentenced Yarima to life imprisonment on count six of the charge, bordering on receiving training on arms and weapon handling in preparation to commit acts of terrorism.

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While the convict was committed to a 35-year imprisonment in count one, Justice Omotosho sentenced him to a 30-year jail term in count five.

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The judge, thereafter, handed down a 10-year imprisonment for Yarima on each of counts two, three and four of the charge.

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The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Federal Government had, in the charge marked FHC/KNJ/CR/971/2026, preferred a seven-count charge against the convict.

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The charge was dated May 26 and filed on May 29 by Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, Director, Public Prosecutions of the Federation.

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In count one, which attracted a 35-year jail term, Yarima (aka La’ari), with chest number 1636 of the Lawanti area of the Mafa local government area in Borno, was alleged to have, sometime between 2009 and 2015 at the time of his arrest, professed membership and continued to belong to the Boko Haram group, a proscribed terrorist organisation in Nigeria.

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He was accused of accepting “Da’awah from Mohammed Yusuf (founder of Boko Haram)”.

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The offence is punishable under Section 16 (1) of the Terrorism (Prevention Amendment) Act, 2013.

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In count six, where he bagged a life imprisonment, the convict was alleged to have “engaged in conduct in preparation to commit acts of terrorism when you travelled to an Arab country for training on arms and weapon handling.”

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The offence is contrary to and punishable under Section 21 of the Terrorism (Prevention Amendment) Act, 2013.

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The Federal Government, in count seven, which attracted a death penalty, accused the terrorist of committing acts of terrorism when he participated in the attacks on Maiduguri.

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The offence is contrary to and punishable under Section 2 (1) of the Terrorism (Prevention Amendment) Act, 2013.

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NAN reports that the trial, which usually takes place at Kainji in Niger, was moved to the Federal High Court (FHC) in Abuja.

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The AGF, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, who led the Federal Government’s team of lawyers for the prosecution, said the government was determined to stamp out terrorism and its related activities from the country.

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The minister said, “We will fight with every inch of our blood to ensure that we make Nigeria a safe place for everybody.” (NAN)

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