A Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday sentenced Boko Haram member Alkali Yarima, also known as La’ari, to death by hanging for his participation in the attacks on Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, in 2015. Justice James Omotosho delivered the judgment, which also included a life imprisonment sentence on one count and various prison terms on other charges.
Details of the Conviction
The court sentenced Yarima to life imprisonment on count six for receiving training on arms and weapon handling in preparation to commit acts of terrorism. Additionally, he received a 35-year prison term on count one, a 30-year term on count five, and 10-year terms on counts two, three, and four. The Federal Government had preferred seven charges against the convict in case number FHC/KNJ/CR/971/2026.
Charges and Offenses
Rotimi Oyedepo, the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, filed the charges on May 29. Count one, which attracted a 35-year jail term, stated that Yarima, with Chest Number 1636 from Lawanti Area of Mafa Local Government Area in Borno, professed membership in and continued to belong to the Boko Haram group, a proscribed terrorist organization in Nigeria. The charge indicated he professed to be a Boko Haram member between 2009 and 2015, when he was arrested, and accepted “Da’awah from Mohammed Yusuf,” the founder of Boko Haram. This offense is punishable under Section 16 (1) of the Terrorism (Prevention Amendment) Act, 2013.
Life Sentence for Training
In count six, for which Yarima received a life sentence, he was alleged to have “engaged in conduct in preparation to commit terrorist acts when he travelled to an Arab country for training on arms and weapon handling.” This offense is contrary to and punishable under Section 21 of the Terrorism (Prevention Amendment) Act, 2013.
Death Penalty for Terrorism
The federal government, in count seven, which attracted the death penalty, accused Yarima of committing acts of terrorism when he participated in the attacks on Maiduguri. This offense is contrary to and punishable under Section 2 (1) of the Terrorism (Prevention Amendment) Act, 2013. The trial, which usually takes place at Kainji in Niger, was moved to the Federal High Court in Abuja, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Government’s Stance
The Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, who led the federal government’s prosecution team, emphasized the government’s determination to stamp out terrorism and its related activities from the country. “We will fight with every inch of our blood to ensure that we make Nigeria a safe place for everybody,” the minister said.
