A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Tuesday convicted three members of the Boko Haram sect to 25 years each for participating in acts of terrorism.
The trio – Ali Mohammed, Adamu Karumi and Ibrahim Usman were among the 17 suspected insurgents arraigned before Justice Buba on eight counts of conspiracy to commit terrorism, illegal possession of firearms and being members of the violent sect.
It was gathered that 13 of the 17 initial suspects were discharged before the conclusion of the trial, but no reason was give for their discharge.
Only four – the first to fourth defendants – went through a full trial.
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.
It was gathered that the trial which started since November 2013 and ended on Tuesday was in secret. Even the judgment was given in Camera, but a source who witnessed the proceedings later gave journalists the facts on condition of anonymity.
Mohammed, Karumi and Usman were tried on offences bordering on terrorism said to have been committed 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 ammunition.
The other items said to have been found in their possession were 200 rounds of 7.6 milimetres of live ammunition, two suitcases containing explosives, and a water container filled with explosives.
According to the prosecution, the offences contravened the provisions of Sections 13(2) and 17(b) of the Terrorism Act 2013 as well as Sections 1, 8, 27 (1) (a) and (b) of the Firearms (special provisions) Act, Cap F28, Laws of the Federation, 2004.
Stay updated with Abusidiqu.com, in partnership with NIGERIANEWSBEAT. Follow us on TWITTER or be our fan on FACEBOOK
Do not hesitate to leave your opinion in the comment section below.
To contact Abusidiqu.com for Article Submission and Advertisement or General inquiry, send a mail to info@abusidiqu.com
