Osaretin Osadebamwen
The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced two suspected Ansaru commanders to life imprisonment after they pleaded guilty to 32 terrorism-related charges brought against them by the Federal Government.
The convicted terrorists, Abubakar Abba, also known as Abu Bara’a, and Mahmud Usman, also known as Isah Adam and Mahmud, were prosecuted by the State Security Service (SSS) on behalf of the Federal Government.
Justice Emeka Nwite delivered the judgment on Monday after the two defendants changed their earlier not guilty pleas to guilty, paving the way for the court to convict and sentence them.
The court sentenced both men to life imprisonment on Counts 30 and 31, which relate to terrorism offences. In addition, Justice Nwite imposed 20 years’ imprisonment on each of the remaining counts.
The judge further ordered that all prison terms should take effect from the date of the convicts’ arrest. The two men were captured by Nigerian security forces last year before being arraigned and prosecuted.
The judgment marks the conclusion of the terrorism trial following the defendants’ decision to admit guilt before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
