Boko Haram Member Gets Death Sentence For Maiduguri Attack

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has sentenced a convicted Boko Haram member, Alkali Yarima, popularly known as La’ari, to death by hanging for his involvement in the 2015 terrorist attacks on Maiduguri.

The judgment was delivered on Friday by Justice James Omotosho after the court found Yarima guilty on multiple terrorism-related charges brought against him by the Federal Government.

According to court proceedings, the convict was also handed a life imprisonment sentence on a charge relating to preparations for terrorist activities through weapons training. In addition, the court imposed a 35-year prison sentence on one count, 30 years on another, and 10-year jail terms on three separate counts.

The Federal Government had arraigned Yarima on a seven-count charge bordering on terrorism and related offences. During the trial, prosecutors established that he was an active member of the outlawed Boko Haram insurgent group and remained affiliated with the organisation for several years before his arrest.

The prosecution further told the court that Yarima received ideological teachings associated with Boko Haram founder, Mohammed Yusuf, and continued participating in activities linked to the terrorist organisation.

Evidence presented before the court also showed that the convict travelled outside Nigeria to undergo weapons training as part of preparations for carrying out violent attacks. He was subsequently connected to the 2015 terrorist assaults on Maiduguri.

The Federal Government maintained that his actions constituted offences under the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act, 2013, a position the court upheld in its judgment.