Court jails 3 Boko Maram members 25 years for terrorism acts

(Nigeria) Justice Ibrahim Buba of a Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday, sentenced three alleged Boko Haram members, to 25 years imprisonment each, for acts of terrorism.

The three convicts were among 17 accused who were earlier charged before the court on November 27, 2013.

The 17 accused were: Ali Mohammed, Adamu Karumi, Ibrahim Usman, Bala Haruna, Idris Ali, Mohammed Murtala, Kadiri Mohammed, Mustapha Daura, Abba Duguri, Sanni Adamu, Danjuma Yahaya, Musa Audu, Mati Daura, Farouk Haruna, Abdullahi Azeez, Ibrahim Bukar and Zula Diani.

The Lagos State Government had preferred an eight-count charge on the accused, bordering on acts of terrorism and possession of prohibitted firearms and ammunition.

Justice Buba had however, delivered judgment in camera, as journalists, and other lawyers were ordered to vacate the courtroom, leaving the prosecution and defence counsels.

The judge had earlier sought the views of lawyers in court, if it was within the law to deliver the judgment in the open court.

The Deputy Director of Public Prosecution, Mrs Idowu Alakija had responded that since the trial was conducted in camera for security reasons, judgment should also be delivered in the same manner.

But Buba who noted that even judges learn everyday, said he would like to do a brief research on the subject, and rose at about 11.30a.m., with a promise to return by 12p.m.

At the resumed hearing, Buba again asked the parties to address him on the legality of giving judgment in camera.

The Attorney General of Lagos State Mr Ade Ipaye in response, said that if the trial was conducted in secret, the judgment should also be delivered in secret as the judgment was also an inherent part of the proceeding.

The defence team also maintained the same position.

Buba subsequently ordered everyone except the parties and the security operatives to vacate the courtroom to allow him deliver his judgment.

In a bid to cover the proceeding, journalists had approached the Deputy Chief Registrar and the Administrative Head of the Court, Mr. Bello Okandeji to complain.

Okandeji then led journalists to the court but was restrained by security men at the door who told the DCR that they had specific instructions not to allow anyone into the courtroom at the moment.

After the court had risen, journalists also approached one of the lawyers who witnessed the judgment.

The source who pleaded anonymity, said that although 17 of the accused had earlier been arraigned, the A-G had discontinued proceedings against 13 of them, by a nolle prosequi.

According to the source, the court had found the first three accused guilty of the offence as charged, and had accordingly sentenced them to 25 years imprisonment each.

"The fourth accused who was charged with allegedly sponsoring the sect, was however discharged and acquitted, on the grounds that the prosecution failed to establish his guilt" the source said.

It will be recalled that after the arraignment of the accused in 2013, journalists had also been barred from covering the proceedings.

In the charge, the accused were said to have committed the offences on March 21, at Plot 5, Road 69, Lekki Phase I Housing Estate, and No. 24, Oyegbeni St., Ijora-Oloye, Apapa-Iganmu, Lagos.

They were said to have been caught in possession of  three packets of explosive construction pipes, 15 detonators, and 11 AK47 rifles with 30 rounds of live ammunitions.

Other items reported to have been found in their possession included 200 rounds of 7.6 milimetres live ammunition, two suitcases containing explosives, and a water container filled with explosives.

The offences were said to have contravened the provisions of Sections 13(2) and 17(b) of the Terrorism Act 2013.

It also contravenes Sections 1, 8, 27 (1) (a) and (b) of the Firearms (special provisions) Act, Cap F28, Laws of the Federation, 2004, and punishable under Section 8 of the same act.