A Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday sentenced three convicted terrorists to death by hanging after they pleaded guilty to terrorism-related offences during the ongoing mass terrorism trial being conducted by the Federal Government.
Justice James Omotosho sentenced 33-year-old Danladi Lawal, also known as Dankawu, to death by hanging, while Justice Salim Ibrahim handed the same sentence to Abdullahi Mohammed and Mohammed Gulama Shaibu following their guilty pleas.
Lawal was convicted on a five-count charge filed by the Federal Government through the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN). After admitting guilt to all five counts, Justice Omotosho sentenced him to 30 years imprisonment on count one, 15 years on count two, life imprisonment on count three, death by hanging on count four, and life imprisonment on count five.
Delivering the judgment, the judge told the convict: “May God have mercy on you.”
According to court documents, Lawal, who hails from Maikaho village in Jibya Local Government Area of Katsina State, and accomplices still at large, abducted and detained an elderly man for four days in a forest hideout in Ilela in 2020. The kidnappers demanded N950,000 ransom from the victim’s family, an act the prosecution said caused fear and insecurity within the community.
The offence violated Section 1(2) of the Terrorism (Prevention Amendment) Act 2013, under which he received the death sentence.
On the fifth count, Lawal was found guilty of knowingly receiving N450,000 from the ransom proceeds, an offence punishable under Section 13 of the same Act, attracting a life sentence.
In separate proceedings before Justice Ibrahim, Abdullahi Mohammed and Mohammed Gulama Shaibu were also sentenced to death by hanging after pleading guilty to terrorism charges.
Mohammed admitted guilt to a one-count charge, while Shaibu pleaded guilty to a two-count charge. Shaibu was sentenced to death on the first count and life imprisonment on the second.
The judge also sentenced Mohammed Dezami Sherife to life imprisonment on counts two, six and eight of a 10-count charge after he pleaded guilty to the offences.
In another related case, Justice Omotosho sentenced Shamsudeen Muhammad Ibrahim, also known as Abu Harira, to life imprisonment on one count and an additional 35-year jail term on another count, effective from June 18.
The court found that Ibrahim, a resident of Ikara Local Government Area of Kaduna State, had knowingly supported ISWAP by receiving training and ideological teachings linked to extremist groups. He was also convicted for failing to report information about the activities of ISWAP and Ansaru to security authorities.
Meanwhile, Justice Emeka Nwite sentenced Lawi Abubakar Mohammed to 20 years imprisonment on each of two counts after he pleaded guilty to the charges against him.
The judge ordered that the sentences run consecutively from the date of his arrest, resulting in a total prison term of 40 years. He further directed that the convict undergo rehabilitation and deradicalisation before being reintegrated into society upon completion of his sentence.
