Three Boko Haram memberssentenced to 25 years each

The Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday
sentenced three Boko Haram members to 25 years
imprisonment each.
However, journalists were not allowed to cover the
judgment.
Only lawyers in the prosecution and defence teams
were allowed in court.
A source, who witnessed the verdict, but craved
anonymity because he was not authorised to speak
on the matter, told reporters that the fourth
defendant was acquitted.
The court, on December 3 last year, barred
journalists from covering the trial of 17 suspected
members of the sect.
Justice Ibrahim Buba made the order following an
application by the Lagos State Attorney-General
and prosecuting counsel, Mr. Ade Ipaye.
Men of the Department of Security Services (DSS)
had prevented journalists from covering the
suspects' arraignment last November 27.
The accused are – 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 Attorney-General, it was learnt, had entered a
nolle prosequi (Latin for "do not prosecute") in
respect of two of the defendants, who were
subsequently discharged.
Later, another 11 were also discharged in the
course of the trial following another nolle prosequi
by the prosecution.
Only four – the first to fourth defendants – went
through a full trial.
The suspects were first charged with conspiracy to
commit terrorism, illegal possession of firearms,
and being members of a proscribed organisation.
They allegedly committed the offences on March
21 last year, at Plot 5, Road 69, Lekki Phase I
Housing Estate, and at No. 24, Oyegbeni St., Ijora-
Oloye, Apapa-Iganmu, Lagos.
They were alleged to have in their possession
three packets of explosive construction pipes, 15
detonators, and 11 AK47 rifles with 30 rounds of
live ammunitions.


thenation