The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court on Friday sentenced a Boko Haram member, Alkali Yarima, also known as La’ari, to death by hanging for participating in the attacks on Maiduguri in 2015.

Justice James Omotosho, in a judgement, also sentenced Mr Yarima to life imprisonment on count six of the charge, bordering on receiving training on arms and weapon handling in preparation to commit acts of terrorism.

The judge sentenced the convict to 35 years’ imprisonment in count one and a 30-year jail term in count five. The judge also handed down a 10-year imprisonment for Mr Yarima for each of counts two, three and four of the charge.

The federal government had, in the charge marked FHC/KNJ/CR/971/2026, preferred a seven-count charge against the convict. The charge was dated May 26 and filed on May 29 by Rotimi Oyedepo, director of public prosecutions of the federation.

In count one, which attracted a 35-year jail term, Mr Yarima (aka La’ari), with chest number 1636 of Lawanti area of Mafa local council in Borno, was alleged to have, sometime between 2009 and 2015 at the time of his arrest, professed membership and continued to belong to Boko Haram, a proscribed terrorist organisation in Nigeria.

He was accused of accepting “Da’awah from Mohammed Yusuf (founder of Boko Haram)”. The offence is punishable under Section 16 (1) of the Terrorism (Prevention Amendment) Act, 2013.

In count six, he was sentenced to life imprisonment for engaging in conduct in preparation to commit acts of terrorism when he travelled to an Arab country for training on arms and weapons handling. The offence is contrary to and punishable under Section 21 of the Terrorism (Prevention Amendment) Act, 2013.

The federal government, in count seven, which attracted a death penalty, accused the terrorist of committing acts of terrorism when he participated in the attacks on Maiduguri. The offence is contrary to and punishable under Section 2 (1) of the Terrorism (Prevention Amendment) Act, 2013.

(NAN)