A federal high court in Abuja has sentenced Auwalu Samaila, a Boko Haram member, to death by hanging for terrorism offences. James Omotosho, the presiding judge, convicted Samaila after he pleaded guilty to six counts filed by the federal government.
“The convict before me is not remorseful despite a lot of atrocities and lives that had gone from his hand. “May God have mercy on his soul.” Samaila, who hails from Gulak in the Madagali LGA of Adamawa state, was accused of participating in multiple attacks between 2012 and 2017.
The charges included membership of a proscribed terrorist group, receiving training in terrorist activities and weapons handling, and involvement in attacks on communities in Borno and Adamawa states.
The offences are punishable under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act. The prosecution, led by Jemila Ade, deputy director of public prosecutions, tendered Samaila’s confessional statement, which was admitted in evidence.
He was found to have taken part in attacks in Damboa, Borno, as well as Gombi and Hong in Adamawa, where civilians and military personnel were killed. The offences are punishable under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act.
The prosecution, led by Jemila Ade, deputy director of public prosecutions, tendered Samaila’s confessional statement, which was admitted in evidence.
Delivering the sentence, Omotosho ordered that Samaila be hanged on counts four, five, and six.
The court also sentenced him to 25 years’ imprisonment on counts one and two, and 30 years’ imprisonment on count three. In separate judgments, the court also sentenced two other Boko Haram members — Shura Abdullahi and Abdulrahman Ari — to life imprisonment after they pleaded guilty to terrorism charges.
Three others — Aisami Kadi, Umaru Usman, and Abdulrahman Hassan — were handed prison terms ranging from 20 to 21 years.
